General 4 — Books, Cars and Art

Our Books

These are my books, and some by family members and colleagues, but I am happy to help others to get their works into print and uploaded to the online merchants. Click on the covers to read a sample.

Henry VIII’S Motorcycle or A Tale of Two Trumpets

You can see two quite different kinds of trumpet in the modern baroque orchestra, one that resembles its forebear of the 17th and 18th centuries, and another that simply passes itself off as the real thing. This book is not about Henry VIII’s motorcycle, because it’s quite unlikely he had one, but it does deal with the creation of alternate narratives. The motorcycle is used as a symbol of a desire to justify and legitimize an invention that has no historical antecedent. Although the kind of trumpet used in an orchestra is of limited interest to all but a few devoted folks, this book has general relevance to the modern world as a case study in the successful creation of an alternative reality. The author’s treatment of the subject is lighthearted to the point of silliness, although the points made are solid and cogent.

His Majesty’s Grand Conceit

In 1748 a mighty edifice rose in the Green Park in London’s west end, the launching pad for a grand firework to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle and Britannia’s might! But what was King George II thinking when he decided to employ Frenchmen and Italians to undertake it? Did he believe the celebration of Peace meant peace between nations? And what of Mr. London Town, still smarting from a peace that was none to his liking and benefitting him not at all? Enter John Montagu, a highly capable and well-connected diplomat, courtier and statesman, to take on the task of realizing the His Majesty’s grand conceit. From the first spade in the ground to the shattering conclusion, here is the story from ten who witnessed and participated. And what a tortuous path the story takes.

Jacob the Trumpeter

Trumpet-maker Michael Münkwitz discovered a 17th century Nürnberg trumpet hanging on the wall of a tiny church in eastern Germany. According to the plaque it was attached to, the trumpet was owned by one Jacob Hintze, trumpeter and inn-keeper, who had been killed in a duel. Little was known of Hintze’s story, but he practically asked from beyond the grave for it to be told in full. The life story in this book is all true… or, at least, it ought to be.

Since he first heard a herald in the marketplace when he was ten years old, all Jacob Hintze has wanted to do is play the trumpet. Apprenticed to a German cavalry unit as a teenager, he is thrown into the horrors of the Thirty Years War. Employed as a courier and secret agent by his Duke, Jacob meets love, hatred, vengeance and betrayal as around him Europe tears itself to pieces. He plays his trumpet on the battlefield to send men to their deaths; he makes music in holy service to the glory of God. Jacob Hintze’s life story is a stirring struggle in which music, war, espionage and the love of a good woman wrestle for his soul on a backdrop of bloody conflict and fragile peace.

MAking a natural trumpet: Herstellung einer naturtrompete

This book is a graphic description of the International Trumpet-making Workshop, which has been in operation since 1994. Participants in this workshop make a natural trumpet based on a 17th century original using the materials, tools and techniques of the period. Every stage of the workshop is illustrated in over 70 colour photographs, and background information on the trumpet model chosen, the history of the workshop, and further references are also included. This book is a must-have for anyone, musician or not, who is interested in the history and construction of the natural trumpet and its performance today.

Dieses Buch ist eine Beschreibung des Internationalen Trompetenbau-Workshops, welcher 1994 begann. Teilnehmer des Workshops bauen eine Naturtrompete basierend auf einem Original des 17. Jahrhunderts unter Verwendung von Materialien, Werkzeugen und Techniken dieser Periode. Jeder Schritt des Workshops wird in über 70 Farbfotos illustriert. Es werden Hintergrundinformationen zum Trompetenmodell erläutert und die Geschichte des Workshops dargestellt. Eine Bibliographie ist ebenfalls enthalten. Dieses Buch ist ein Muss für Jeden, Musiker oder nicht, der sich für die Geschichte und den Bau der Naturtrompete interessiert und seiner heutigen Spielweise.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN WORKSHOPS

Click here for information on the NORTH AMERICAN WORKSHOPS

points north and west

This beautifully illustrated book describes a 17,000 km journey from Ottawa, Ontario, north to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories and west to Alaska. Each stage of the trip is prefaced by a map showing the route and the distance covered. With over 260 colour pictures, 16 maps and detailed descriptions of preparations and travel plans, this is a must-have for anyone contemplating a journey to the far reaches of Canada and the northern United States.

points north and EAst

This beautifully illustrated book describes a 9,000 km journey from Ottawa, Ontario, east and north to Nain in Labrador, and then through the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Each stage of the trip is prefaced by a map showing the route and the distance covered. With over 220 colour pictures, 18 maps and detailed descriptions of preparations and travel plans, this is a must-have for anyone contemplating a journey to Canada’s east coast. This book is a companion to the author’s Points North and West.