Details of Publication - Apex Publishing Ltd.

Above The Water Line
	Author: Joseph James Classification: Autobiography/Memoir Sorry this book is Out Of Print	Brief Description: In these days, where rogue traders appear to be increasingly under the media spotlight and customer confidence in such self-professed professionals is dwindling, it is heart-warming to read the amusing anecdotes contained in these memoirs, written by a retired plumber and heating engineer. His apprenticeship during the fifties was interrupted, and most definitely enhanced, by his service in the armed forces, and he became the model of excellence in terms of his honesty, workmanship and customer care. As seen through the eyes of the raw young teenager that the author once was, thrust straight from school into the unknown and alien environment of plumbing and heating, he recognises, recounts and celebrates the skills, knowledge and guidance of those he assisted in his journey up the ladder from green-neck to a fully qualified and highly experienced tradesman in his own right. His training not just honed his technical abilities but also helped to develop certain essential attributes, such as humour, craftiness and alertness, that would stand him in good stead in the years to follow. Preceding each anecdotal snippet of his life-moulding years in the trade, the author presents a poem that encapsulates the moment, leaving the reader’s imagination to conjure up pictures of the scenario that follows. In addition, interwoven throughout the pages are tips on preventative action and spotting warning signs to avoid the potential comedic ‘umbrella in the house’ plumbing disasters that could provide unwitting hours of amusement for the ‘knights on white chargers’ called upon to assist.

Special Note: This book is now out of print.

About the Author: Born on 12 December 1934, Joseph James’s childhood days at both council and secondary modern schools led him, at the time somewhat blindly, into what became an extremely valuable six-year apprenticeship as a plumber and heating engineer, learning both recipes for success in the trade and for life itself. He then served two years’ active service as a signaller in the army before a spell down the coalmines. He subsequently returned to a career as a journeyman plumber, involved in domestic, commercial and industrial projects, as well as gaining wide business and local government experience.

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Comments Signings and
Events Libraries that
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-- Purchasing Information

	Paperback	Hardback
Publication Date:	26 July 2005
ISBN: ISBN 13:	1-904444-48-2 978-1-904444-48-0
Page Extent:	143
Book Size:	210x148mm
Price:	£5.99
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Publication Date:	26 July 2005
Digital eBook ISBN 13:	978-1-908548-61-0
Digital pdf ISBN 13:	978-1-908382-36-8


	Based on Amazon's Kindle Store

-- Reviews by the Famous and well Known

A well written, and presented book. The poems and anecdotes are interesting and amusing. Joseph stems from a work era long past, yet the humour and honesty shine through and it is a shame that the underlying work ethics and pride aren't still as relevant today. Well done.
Robert Auty, Author of 'Trance Warriors: The Siege of Scarn'

You hear a lot of bad press about plumbers, so it was refreshing to be able to read the thoughts and experiences of an honest one. I think that this book should be used as a reference book for all plumbers. It was well thought out. The poems were amusing and the anecdotes were fascinating.
Adam Pearson, Author of 'The Diary of an Unwilling Virgin' & 'The Official Southampton Quiz Book'

In his biographical book "Above the Waterline" Joseph James lets us take a look behind the scenes in a typical plumber's life of a few years ago. His wry and amusing accounts of what seem at first to be quite normal everyday situations give the uninitiated the chance to realise just how complex this job can be. From his early days as a rooky apprentice we are kept entertained by Mr James' experiences, and by the end of the book we are beginning to get an understanding of this essential industry and how its skilled tradesmen sustain it. After all - what would any of us do without a trusty plumber to call on in times of trouble?
Sheila Collins, Author of 'Truffles' Diary' & 'Truffles' Diary: One Year On'

-- Newspaper and Website Reviews

BOTTOM LINE FOR WRITER IS ABOVE WATER
WHILE Ibstock's Joseph James was busy fixing leaky pipes and dodgy boilers, dreams of becoming a published writer were always in his head.
Years later, the 70-year-old from Penistone Street, has fulfilled his ambition, and his formative years as an apprentice have become his inspiration.
Mr James, below, had been an avid writer for more than 50 years, but has finally had his first book, Above the Water Line, published.
The book is full of anecdotes and poems, based on the six years he spent as and apprentice plumbing and heating engineer between 1949 and 1955.
It tells of disasters averted, memorable characters and run-ins with the boss.
Mr James said: “A lot of funny things happened to me and I wrote them down.
“People kept on saying that I should get this published, which is easy to say, but very hard to make happen.
“But I managed to do it eventually.”
Coalville Times

FUNNY ANECDOTES FROM A LONG CAREER
Plumber writes book on his life
COALVILLE plumber Joseph Lock has just published a book – inspired by the numerous humorous incidents experienced during his long career.
Mr Lock of Ibstock, who is now retired, told the Echo he had entered the profession entirely by chance.
When at school and asked what future career he wanted to pursue, Joseph was at a loss. Put on the spot, Joseph “borrowed” the aspirations of the boy four desks down. “He said he wanted to be a plumber”, says Joseph. “I thought it sounded like a good idea at the time – it never occurred to me that they might hold me to it!”
But indeed they did for a year later he was contacted by the local careers office to report for plumbing duty, armed with a pair of overalls, a ball of string, a two ft steel ruler, and a shilling (to take the bus home if the truck broke down).
The book entitled “Above the Waterline” is a series of short stories, each with accompanying illustration.
Mr Lock’s favourite, “The Load of Glass”, tells the tale of a rather fragile and expensive load of Georgian wire glass. Apparently, Joseph, on arriving for his apprenticeship, had been told to transport the costly burden. His irascible boss warned him with many a threat that he was not to let the glass be broken.
“He must have reminded me about 200 times!” says Joseph. Inevitable, of course, the unthinkable happened. Joseph had just manoeuvred the truck onto the top of a steel hill. The problem arrived in trying to get it down again. At the crucial moment, the entire load slipped off the truck, showering the surrounding area in glassy shards.
Unfortunately, his boss chose that moment to stumble upon the sorry scene. “He had such a tantrum,” recalls Mr Lock, “he actually stamped his foot!”
“Above the Waterline” is available from the Apex and Amazon websites.
Coalville Echo

ABOVE THE WATERLINE
Ibstock & District Magazine

WRITER'S DECADES-HELD DREAM HAS COME TRUE
Proud moment: Joseph James, of Ibstock, with his book of anecdotes called Above The Water Line.
A 70-YEAR-OLD retired plumber has fulfilled his life's ambition by having his first book published.
Joseph James, of Penistone Street, Ibstock, has been writing for more than 50 years, but has never before had any of his work published.
Above The Water Line contains anecdotes and memoirs of Mr James's six-year apprenticeship as a plumbing and heating engineer.
Stories and poems recount the author's teenage years in the 1950s.
They detail how Mr James, who was born in Ellistown, dealt with the leap from school into the unknown as a blue-collar worker. He tells of jobs going wrong and run-ins with his boss.
Mr James said: "I have been told for years by friends and family that I should get my stories published. It was always a distant dream I never really believed would come true.
"It really is a wonderful moment for me to see my book in print."
Leicester Mercury

ABOVE THE WATERLINE
What's Around Magazine

The tales of a plumber will keep readers grinning long after the book of tradesman stories - mingled with prose - is closed.
‘The plumber laid prone with head in well
With mate holding his legs, the idea is swell
“Pass me the grips,” came the voice from the well
His mate reached for the grips and gasped, “Oh Hell!”’
The Shallow Well (Soft Water) is just one of many humorous stories from the book Above the Water Line by Joseph James. The book cover itself is a comical look at the water line rising in a basement towards the out of reach crack of a main plumbing system. An arm reaching high with an outstretched wrench is the only clue that a plumber is under the murky surface somewhere.
The Explosion and the Tea – Half a Binocular – The Load of Glass, and My Heart, My Heart are just some of the stories to enjoy from Above the Water Line by Joseph James.
A great book to pick up and read anytime… even while taking a tea or coffee break!
www.rollingseas.com.au

-- Radio and TV

-- Readers Comments

A well written and presented book; the poems are very humorous, and skilfully lead you into the stories which are very amusing.
Carol Lee
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An amusing collection of real life day-to-day events of a plumbing and heating engineer. A very amusing read!
A reader from England
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This book reaches a great many parts than other books have not come close to reaching. The laughter just keeps coming chapter after chapter even when I am walking about and see something which reminds me of a chapter, I laugh and have a smile on my face. Well worth a read; hope there is more to come from the author.
Kevin Molloy
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-- Book Signings and Events

Joseph James, signing copies of his book at Ibstock Post Office, Leicestershire.
Ibstock Post Office, Leicestershire

-- Libraries that stock this book
Central Reference Library, Leicester
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Central Lending Library, Leicester
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West End Library, Southampton
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Evington Library, Leicestershire
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Southfields Library, Leicestershire
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Birstall Library, Leicestershire
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The Bodleian Library, Oxford
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The University Library, Cambridge
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The National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
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The Library of Trinity College, Dublin
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The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
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Reference & Information Library, Leicester
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The British Library, Boston Spa
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