Rather than sitting idle during lock-down, I set to writing my memoires. I finished the last draft at the beginning of this year. I have entitled the book ‘Sharpening the Weapons of Peace’. My point being that winning the peace requires just as much focus, dedication, innovation and a far greater and more enduring commitment than winning the war. I am proud to say that my book is now available to order through the following link.
https://www.austinmacauley.com/author/wilkinson-philip
For better or worse, the book is all mine. I have had zero editorial comment from the publishers and have had to rework every draft myself. And there are only so many times that you can proof read your own work without going nuts. My apologies for any editorial errors.
The book will shortly be available online and can be found by searching for ISBN No.9781528998321. You can pre order a copy now. I will set up an Amazon account within the next couple of days when the new day-job allows.
The book covers my story from the slums Liverpool to the end of my time in Somalia. At the time of writing the book, I had no clue that I would become the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire. Perhaps that will be a future chapter. It rather proves the point, however, that I make throughout the book that you never know what is around the corner. My new appointment is also a very clear statement of my unswerving passion to serve my country and people.
After the recent sad events in Afghanistan, the photograph on the front cover of my book is especially topical. The photograph was taken at the entrance of the Panjshir Valley. The tank that I am leaning on was captured from the Soviets by Ahmad Shar Masoud, the ‘Lion of the Panjshir’ and then subsequently used by him to fight against the Taliban. His son, who is Sandhurst trained, bravely fights on. In addition to working with several other presidents in other countries, I spent two years in the Arg palace with President Karzai and his senior Afghan staff, looking out at the international intervention into their country. Some may find my comments regarding our Afghan intervention, and those other international interventions in which I have been involved, uncomfortable reading. I hope so!