Guardian article: Whstleblowing in charities

Whistleblowing article in The Guardian

Left Field reviews

'Gasholder' review (see pic) will be online soon.  

David is an adventurer and a freethinker, who did something truly useful with his life - Brian Eno
David Wilson has lived a life and a half. The broken world needed people like David; it still does - Sir Tom Stoppard
What a life this man has led - Dorothy Byrne, Head of Channel 4 Documentaries
David's entire life has been dedicated to trying to make the world a better place - Craig Murray, ex-UK Ambassador



'Left Field' reviews

His shared heart wrenching observations are clearly a highlight of this richly textured, moving work … Raw and compelling; a story well told of a vital and varied life in a war-torn region Kirkus Reviews
From heavy drinking to launching a charity, David Wilson’s life story is an absorbing read Camden New Journal
Sometimes funny, often moving and occasionally tragic ... one of my top recent reads -Morning Star
'Left Field' is a thoughtful and gentle memoir. David’s obvious good nature and ability to connect with people is demonstrated over and over Socialist Review 

Watch the Left Field film

News for 2017 - Juliet Etchingham and ITV's 'On Assignment' will be visiting the Pavarotti Music Centre in September to film on the 20th anniversary of its opening

Left Field is published by Unbound, distributed by Penguin Books and available at Waterstones, Foyles, on Amazon and other retail websites

Three Left Field films

Three 'Left Field' talks now confirmed for July 2016. At the South Bank Centre on 2 July with Gillian Slovo, Amir Amirani and Haifa Zangana. At WOMAD music festival on 31 July as part of their 'Global Voices' session. Also 21 July at Five Leaves Bookshop, Nottingham. 
And on 18 June 'Left Field' launch at the Pavarotti Music Centre, with Mostar Rock School performing with guest artists. And Goran Simić,will be reciting his poem 'Dogs and Bones' NOTE: This just published in Counterpunch

Tractors and slugs

First break for months from Left Field and have taken to the Mid-Wales hills where I have been staying on the smallholding of my friend Shade Majekodunmi. We have known each other since our time working at the Stop the War Coalition. Shade was an early supporter of my memoir so I thanked her by doing a day's work on her tractor! Her brother Desmond Majekodunmi is a leading Nigerian environmentalist and she is almost there as a 'Green' farmer. Those slug pellets have to go! Here is a great interview with Desmond

Left Field - 'a study of humanity'

The Calais 'jungle'

I have just returned from “The Jungle” refugee camp in Calais. Thousands of people who have made it to the Channel coast, fleeing from the abyss of destruction, death and chaos our bombardier politicians have rained down on them. It was a dry day, but there were pools and streams of dirty water. Sand was blowing around and, despite the sunshine, the bitter cold invaded life and health. I went there as a guest of some wonderful homeopathic practitioners and, with their translator Najeeb Khan, the group approached numerous families. Only one didn't have colds, coughs, sore throats and worse. We were welcomed with warmth and too many cups of sweet tea. There was an eagerness to talk about their lives and what had brought them so many thousands of miles from their homes. How had they arrived on the channel coast? On EasyJet? Eurostar? Hired coaches? Many of them had walked across Western Europe. When you next fly or train it to southern Europe, look down at the ground. Walked? There are many volunteers working there – doctors, nurses, musicians, youth workers at the Baloo Youth Centre and at the Jungle Books library. At the large and well organised warehouse mostly young people unload foods, clothing, medicines and sleeping equipments. There is optimism and hope amongst the refugees. Another world that is not only possible, but being brought into being under these terrible conditions. As one of the founders of the UK NGO, War Child, I have a few questions. I am aware that Médecins Sans Frontières is present on a small scale in Calais and Dunkirk. That Save the Children has funded some of the volunteer work in the camps, but where are the larger NGO's 'on the ground'. Why are they not at least advocating for the refugees? Last year Save the Children did say this: “The UK government is very generous in aid and should be proud of rescuing thousands of people from drowning in the Mediterranean this summer. David Cameron deserves real praise.” But if they cannot speak out, where are they? Is it true they cannot get directly involved because neither the French or British government have declared a humanitarian emergency? Doesn't NGO translate as 'NON-Government ? A number of other questions. Does the French government take money from the UN to keep people at the camps, but do little or nothing in return? Is it true that the Calais camp has been partially, but not completely, destroyed so that this situation can continue? Is it true that with the destruction of the camp the French and UK governments might face court action? I am sure I am repeating rumours. Perhaps my questions are naïve. Perhaps. "Left Field' will be published in six weeks. Published by Unbound & distributed by Penguin Books

Jeremy Corbyn

I met Jeremy Corbyn in my local pub this evening. He talked about his day in Brussels and I told him about my day at Unbound. I said 'Left Field' was being published soon and that he features in several chapters. He was involved in helping me instigate an enquiry at our local hospital when a neighbour committed suicide. In the chapter 'Ships at Sea' I explained that my politics had been summed up in a lifetime's opposition to joining any parliamentary party, but that I had now had to add a postscript. Because of him, I have joined the Labour Party. He has accepted a copy of the book and wants to attend the launch. It's not too late for you to pledge your copy and, if bought before the end of the year, your name will be printed in the book.

Left Field cover

Russell Mills has created a great cover for Left Field. I am honoured that he has produced such an outstanding design, as effective as those I've admired on his covers for Don DeLillo and Milan Kundera. 

Left Field is to be published by Unbound in March 2016. Funding has exceeded 100%, but there is still time to pre-order a copy & have your name acknowledged. To be a book angel, click here.

Cover design: Russell Mills 

Brian Eno interview here

Sample chapter here   

                                                                                          www.davidwilson.org.uk

Who are 'Left Field's' publishers?

My publishers, Unbound, are leading the way with a radical model for book publishing. Their founders, John Mitchinson, Justin Pollard and Dan Kieran turned partly to the music industry for inspiration. At the same time, they looked back to a much older model. "Subscription publishing is extremely old when it comes to books," Pollard told The Guardian here. "It's how Johnson's dictionary was published, as well as a large number of 18th- and 19th-century novels." As their first author, they recruited ex-Python Terry Jones, who pitched 'Evil Machines', a collection of dark, surreal stories. Jones was followed by Tibor Fischer, Jonathan Meades, Kate Mosse. You can check out how the Unbound system works here. Of course you can then pre-order your copy of 'Left Field' here.

News: Unbound has agreed a joint- venture deal with the Cornerstone division of Penguin Random House to distribute trade editions of its titles.

LEFT FIELD - 

Brian Eno: "This is an excellent and inspiring book. David's stubborn and yet self-effacing commitment to his ideals carried him through many daunting situations, and his sense of humour kept him able to see the funny side."— Dorothy Byrne,Head of Channel 4 TV News and Documentaries: "What a life this man has led!"— Russell Mills: “You’ve done so much, achieved so much, that is for the good, the right, the just, that to be asked to undertake the cover design for you, which may be considered a minor thing in the great scheme of things, is for me a bloody major thing”.—Sir Tom Stoppard: "David Wilson has lived a life and a half … the broken world needed people like David then; it still does and always will."—David Hencke, former Guardian Westminster correspondent: "This is the work of a determined guy who is prepared to expose fraud and injustice wherever he finds it."—Eugene Skeef, percussionist and collaborator with Steve Biko in Black Consciousness Movement: "A must-read by my comrade and brother David Wilson. Please spread the word and encourage your friends to buy and read David's memoir.”—Orhan Maslo (Oha): "One of the key people of my life has finished his book and it will soon be out. There is a chapter that describes the times we spent together. What good times we had while giving spirit to the Pavarotti Music Centre. This steered me to who I am and what I do today. Thank you David"—Gianni Scotto, Assoc Professor, University of Florence: “I was so surprised to hear the most insightful and radical political analysis of the conflict speaking with you.”—Sebastian Balfour, Emeritus Professor, LSE: “A vivid account of a life fought for justice, full of indignation and tenderness.—Mandla Langa, author of The Lost Colours of the Chameleon, and winner of 2009 Commonwealth Prize: "David Wilson is a national treasure."—Ed Victor literary agency: “Your relationship with your elderly father is described in such beautiful style that it would not be out of place from a literary novel by an established and seasoned author. The same goes for your childhood years at boarding school ... The 'Balkan years', including the bits where you fall in love with a Croat and the adventures of the mobile bakery could be from a historical thriller. The whole 'War Child' section could be an expose about the problems and hidden lives of charities, especially when they become powerful.”

BRIAN ENO INTERVIEW

UNBOUND SITE FOR 'LEFT FIELD'

Write & Draw

Marjane Satrapi, graphic novelist, illustrator and film director has said that: “ Images are a way of writing. When you have the talent to be able to write and draw, it seems a shame to choose one. I think it's better to do both.” I agree and that is why Left Field will include photos. It is also why I am delighted that Russell Mills will be designing the book's cover. His images are his way of writing and what a great writer he is. I am proud to join him as co-author. Well known for his record / CD / album covers, he is also a major book cover designer. You can see his work here. His authors include Ian McEwan & Milan Kundera, Don Delillo & Jayne Anne Phillips. Thank you, Russell. And for these words about 'Left Field'. “You’ve done so much, achieved so much, that is for the good, the right, the just, that to be asked to undertake the cover design for you, which may be considered a minor thing in the great scheme of things, is for me a bloody major thing”. 

'Left Field', to be published by Unbound, is now fully funded, so be sure to order your copy and have your name printed in the book. 

Grandson Rhys

My grandson, Rhys (named after my Welsh grandfather) hasn't yet ordered his copy of Left Field - despite the fact that I wrote the memoir with him in mind. I am visiting him next week in Barcelona so will have the opportunity to let him know that it is now in the publication planning stage. So neither he nor you have long to wait.

Left Field: ships, protests, shoes and paintings

For those without twitter I have started posting elliptical messages and photos - all of which have relevance to my memoir. Hopefully, they will intrigue you enough to want to pledge at Unbound for 'Left Field'.

Left Field sales on the rise

Sales of Left Field have reached 70% which means production work will start soon. Hurry and get your copy here

What the literary agents think about Left Field

“Your relationship with your elderly father is described in such beautiful style that it would not be out of place from a literary novel by an established and seasoned author. The same goes for your childhood years at boarding school ... The 'Balkan years', including the bits where you fall in love with a Croat and the adventures of the mobile bakery could be from a historical thriller. The whole 'War Child' section could be an expose about the problems and hidden lives of charities, especially when they become powerful.” 

These words from Ed Victor Agency, but, they added, you are not famous! 

http://unbound.co.uk/books/left-field

Brian Eno's Totem

Thanks to Brian Eno 'Left Field' sales % rising as they do in Enos Totem. Check that music here

https://vimeo.com/34240891

Help the book's % rise here

tinyurl.com/nflgk6h

Celebrating 50% income for 'Left Field' in two weeks

'Left Field' has now received 50% of pledges in only two weeks. This is amazing progress and thank you to everyone who has pre-bought my memoir and/or helped spread the word. http://unbound.co.uk/books/left-field

Left Field - the film

Brian Eno interviews David Wilson

What do U2, Pavarotti, Argentine cowboys, the ex-Yugoslav wars, back room art deals and Brian Eno have in common? Answer: 'Left Field'. Brian Eno interviews David Wilson about his forthcoming memoir. Brian and David have a long history together and David appears liberally in Eno's diary "A Year with Swollen Appendices". He's the David that very obviously isn't Bowie.

now check out: http://unbound.co.uk/books/left-field

Gaucho

The gauchos of the 19th century, the sort found in José Hernández poem, “El Gaucho Martín Fierro”, made their boots from the skin of a horse's leg, their stirrups from knuckle bones. Their elaborately-decorated facónes were tucked into the back of their belts. These knives survived into the 1960s when I was in Argentina – we'd slice barbequed beef for breakfast with them before herding the cattle. But today nothing of the gaucho is left. Not even their knifes. The thousands of square miles of pampas grasslands have been turned over to Monsanto GM soya. You can discover more about life on the pampas in 'Left Field'.   http://unbound.co.uk/books/left-field