Official Interview: Dave Husband

[kandscreeley]

Today's Chat with Sarah features Dave Husband author of American Coastguards, UNST & The B.P. Oily Blacks (1978).

View the Official Review

View Kindle edition on Amazon

For more purchasing options, view on OBC Bookshelves

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1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am 76 years old and have been happily married for 54 years this summer. I have two kids and two grandkids. I am visually impaired now. I started working full-time in 1965 and was fortunate to be still working in 2020 when the pandemic kicked in. I follow my local football team Raithrovers and played a little golf from age 40. I've done many things and managed to survive in the construction industry. I read many books and enjoy helping out in the community.

2. Let's discuss your book American Coastguards, UNST & The B.P. Oily Blacks (1978). Can you give us a short synopsis?

It's simply telling a little story of ordinary young American/British people in the 1970's and how this small group behaved. Plus, it's briefly recording some of the difficult and not-so-good people I encountered as I continued to wander through the construction industry in my later years. Doc's words when criticising the UK always stuck with me: "I am not a fan of inherited privilege."

3. Why did you decide to write a book about your life?

I had been thinking about it for forty years after the first oil ashore. My dad had recalled many of his stories when he worked in the States in the 20's & 30's. Many stories get lost, and I wanted to record and document them for posterity. I self-published my first book
Budgies at 16,000 feet in 2022. I believe Amazon has now organised an "English edition." One book for the American readers.

4. How did you celebrate when you finished the book?

The joy is when you get the go-ahead to print.

5. What did you learn while writing the book? What was the most difficult part of the process?

You never stop learning. Fortunately, I had kept a lot of notes but it is difficult trying not to get into some of your stories.

6. What do you want readers to learn from your experiences?

How ordinary people got on with their lives and in the UK, historical unfairness remains.

7. What's next for you? Any future books?

Probably not, but I have a couple of short stories.

I like to end with fun questions.

8. Out of all the places that you went, which was your favorite and why?

I never did a huge amount of travelling. Locally St. Andrews. Enjoyed the hoover dam & the grand canyon in 2015. However, we were fortunate to visit Florida in 1981 when the kids were young.

9. Do you prefer ebooks, printed books, or audiobooks most of the time?

Printed but now ebooks because of my condition.

10. If you could only use three words to describe yourself, what would they be?

Philosophical, old, fortunate.

11. Do you have any pets?

Not now. I live in a flat. Previously, I had 3 cats and 1 dog.

12. Can you give us one fun fact about yourself?

I have done a fair number of stupid things. I did not investigate what the temperature in Florida would be in 1981 and took Scottish winter clothes for the children! We still talk about the heat when we got off the plane in Miami!

[Dave Husband]

All I asked was for honest reviews. Many thanks. I sent copies to Texas & Pennsylvanian Libraries. The two States where Big Al & Terry were from. Did not know Doc's.
great memories. People asked is it true? 100% yes. Don't look on myself as a author but happy that I managed this.

Best of luck to all that take part and contribute. Dave H

[Dave Husband]

Always try and do your best.

[Carole Kendall]

I know nothing about construction work, but I enjoy learning new things and I like memoir as a genre. Your book appeals to me because I also enjoy reading about other countries. You have lived through so many important historical events, and I am sure you share an interesting perspective for your readers. I’m sorry that you no longer have pets.Thank you for your interview.

[Dave Husband]

Always look on the bright side of life. Sometimes easier said than done.
You never stopmlearning. Take care and all the best

[Blessed Hope]

I like question number 12 and by the way the response is very funny. Florida, i have heard of it being mostly sunny but i don't know if it ever experiences snow. Would like to be there at a particular time and experience it myself