A biography of the British World War II veteran and Japanese POW camp survivor who went on to create a life-saving device. Countless thousands of men and women around the world have good reason to be thankful that Frank Pantridge survived three and a half years of brutal Japanese captivity. Had he not, they too would in all probability have died too. Taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Frank was forced to endure appalling deprivation. Conditions on the Burma railway were notorious, and the death rate was horrendous. On returning to Belfast in late 1945, Frank specialized in heart diseases. Convinced that the prompt application of electric shock after cardiac arrest could save lives, he reasoned that ventricular defibrillation should be applied not just in hospitals but in the workplace, the home, the street or ambulance. His first “portable” defibrillator was produced in 1965 and over the intervening years evolved into the compact units so prevalent today. The importance of Pantridge’s invention was well demonstrated when U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnston’s life was saved in 1972. This stirring biography reveals the full story of a remarkable man who survived against the odds to save countless lives. Praise for Frank Pantridge MC “Cecil Lowry's book describes a man who...survived against all the odds. . . . A fascinating and moving story.” —Books Monthly (UK)

The instant USA Today bestselller! An Irish Country Family is a charming entry in Patrick Taylor's beloved internationally bestselling Irish Country series. Before Doctor Barry Laverty joined Doctor Fingal O’Reilly's practice in the colorful Irish village of Ballybucklebo, he was an intern, working long hours, practicing new medical techniques, falling in love, and learning what is most important in the medical field for a family physician—the bonds of family, friendships, and human kindness. Years later, Barry practices everything he has learned in Ballybucklebo, a lovely village where neighbor looks after neighbor. And while his own efforts to start a family with his wife Sue have been frustrated, the community around him couldn’t be stronger as they work together to show their solidarity. Shifting effortlessly between the two time periods, bestselling author Patrick Taylor continues the story of these beloved characters while vividly bringing the daily joys and struggles of this delightful Irish village to life. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

From its invasion of Manchuria through to the Allies’ victory in 1945 the Japanese Imperial Army was guilty of widespread atrocities against its enemies and, in particular, the civilians of occupied countries. Massacre, human experimentation, starvation, forced labour and even cannibalism were commonplace during that period. It has been estimated that the number of deaths which resulted from these atrocities range from anything from three to fourteen million people. Using this appalling record the author explains in graphic detail the cruelty of Japanese military forces, drawing attention to the impact on ordinary people. He explores the possible reasons why people committed such horrendous acts. Seventy-eight years have passed since the surrender, yet the Japanese government has never squarely acknowledge their crimes, nor has it made an official apology. Over the years since, a handful of extreme right-wing elements in Japan has depicted the war and the atrocities as ‘the liberation of backward nations.’ They have attempted to reinterpret bloody massacres as 'a self-defensive holy war.' As his father Hugh Lowry suffered grievously as a Prisoner of War on the infamous Thai/Burma Railway, the author knows first-hand of the lasting psychological and physical wounds suffered by victims of Japanese brutality. This disturbing book should serve as a warning that such extreme and widespread behaviour should never be repeated.

Countless thousands of men and women around the world have good reason to be thankful that Frank Partridge survived three and a half years of brutal Japanese captivity. Had he not, they too would in all probability have died too. Taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Frank was forced to endure appalling deprivation. Conditions on the Burma railway were notorious and the death rate was horrendous. On returning to Belfast in late 1945 Frank specialized in heart diseases. Convinced that the prompt application of electric shock after cardiac arrest could save lives he reasoned that ventricular defibrillation should be applied not just in hospitals but in the workplace, the home, the street or ambulance. His first ‘portable’ defibrillator was produced in 1965 and over the intervening years evolved into the compact units so prevalent today. The importance of Partridge’s invention was well demonstrated when US President Lyndon B Johnston’s life was saved in 1972. This stirring biography reveals the full story of a remarkable man who survived against the odds to save countless lives.

The harrowing true story of the Scottish battalion that spent over three years in Japanese captivity during World War II. Posted to Singapore in 1937 with their families, the members of the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders found themselves fighting bravely when the Japanese invaded Malaya in December 1941. But by mid-February came the surrender of Singapore, and those who were not killed became POWs. After initial incarceration in Singapore, the Gordons were dispersed to work on the famous Thai-Burma railway, in the mines of Taiwan and Japan, and on other slave labor projects. The conditions they existed under defy modern comprehension. Others died trapped in hell-ships torpedoed by allied submarines. Of the thousand men involved initially, over four hundred had died before liberation in summer 1945. Despite their diverse backgrounds, all the men had been bound by close regimental spirit, and all suffered hard labor, starvation, brutality, and tropical diseases. Rank was no protection from death. The author of this history has researched the plight of these extraordinary men, so many of whom never saw their native Scotland again. Despite the grim conditions, he captures the strong collective regimental spirit and the humor and cooperation that saved so many who would otherwise have perished. This is an inspiring tale of courage and survival against appalling odds.