Description
Born in Somerset, Philip Nourse moved at the age of seven to Windsor Castle. Here he enjoyed the privileges of singing in the choir of St George's Chapel, a Royal Peculiar, mixing with royalty and attending grand parties. His ten years living in the castle, especially during the golden era of the 1960s, and meeting an exceptional mix of people would change his life. Educated at public school and then university, he qualified as a chartered surveyor, working for major companies in London before heading East to find a new life in Hong Kong. In this dynamic city, he found excitement and a lifestyle that was beyond his wildest dreams. After thirty years in the property business, he embarked upon a new life in the world of publishing and photography. In Hong Kong, he married his second wife, Diane, with whom he travelled extensively throughout Asia-Pacific and beyond, experiencing the exotic cultures of the East and visiting many fascinating locations. During his time in Hong Kong, he also witnessed significant events that would shape the city forever. This well-illustrated memoir recounts the richness of a privileged upbringing, the fairytale excitement of Windsor Castle, and the ups and downs of his personal and professional life, while offering glimpses of a colourful life in Hong Kong. The story also explores the author's emotions, reflections and self-doubts.
About the Author
Philip Nourse was born in Wells, Somerset. He was educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle, and Marlborough College before reading psychology at Brunel University. After qualifying as a chartered surveyor, he worked in London and Hong Kong where he and his second wife, Diane, lived for thirty-three years. In 2005, Philip began a new career in publishing and also set up his own business, offering editorial, design and photography services. He and Diane returned to live in London in 2017, although they keep a pied-a-terre in Hong Kong to escape the English winters. To find out more about the author, visit philipnourse.com.
Reviews
"I have just finished your book, which I enjoyed very much. We were very fortunate to live in Hong Kong during the 80s and 90s and we certainly lived life to the full. Many of the property names were people I knew well. I admire you for having the tenacity to embark on and complete your biography." - Mike, Edinburgh "One Life, Two Worlds' is a very interesting story of an exciting and varied life brilliantly described - with vivid descriptions from many parts of the world of which I only have surface knowledge." - Arild, Guernsey "I loved reading your book. Over the years I worked with you, I knew too little about you. This book opens up your life - magic." - Michelle, Hong Kong "This is a very enjoyable read. The book moves at pace and kept me engaged, so much so that I was eager to get back to it and I read it quickly. Because I lived in Hong Kong for a while, it brought back many happy memories and took me right back there. An interesting and informative look at the life of expats in a former UK colony in modern times. Thank you." - Frances, New Zealand "What a life! Intimate, informative, skilful photo montage on the cover, cleverly linking your life with major geopolitical and similar events. The story flows and throughout it raises the question of what next? Thank you for a very good read. I look forward to your next book." - Christopher, Surrey "It was fascinating to read your life story. You came across exactly as the man I remember: if I may say, a man of integrity in both his private and commercial lives. You were very brave in baring your life in such a way. I would never dare do that but I suspect I would fall short of your standards. It was amusing how your life revolved around girlfriends, whisky, wine, good food and travel. Women certainly feature much. I appreciated the building of the relationship with your daughter, which is a tribute to you both. I was amazed at how many true friends you have both clearly made. Far more than I. An expat life does help with that as you are all thrown more together but it is still impressive." - Guy, West Sussex "I was very curious, in a nosy-parker way, to see how the other half live! I recognised a few of the personalities you mentioned. You have been very fortunate in your friends." - Frank, Hong Kong "I bought a copy and enjoyed it very much. Never knew about your father and his interesting life. You kept that secret. Brought back many wonderful memories for me." - Paul, Hong Kong "We really enjoyed hearing so much about your life. Bits we knew and bits we didn't." - Barry, Hong Kong "Brilliant cover!" - Magnus, Hong Kong "It's a fabulous read!" - Nigel, London "The reason I found this book refreshing is that it is a biography - not by anyone famous but by someone who has taken and benefited from the opportunities afforded to him. Spending a great deal of his life trying to discover what he was good at doing and even more importantly what he enjoyed doing. Philip Nourse takes us on a journey from Windsor Castle, where he lived and was a chorister at St George's Chapel, to living in London and spending many years working in Hong Kong. What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the way he told his fascinating story but then linked it with major events happening around the world, which really helped in giving a timeline and a feel for the period he was covering." - Mike, London
Book Information
ISBN 9781800420878
Author Philip Nourse
Format Paperback
Page Count 274
Imprint SilverWood Books Ltd
Publisher SilverWood Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 550g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 20mm
About the Author
Philip Nourse was born in Wells, Somerset. He was educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle, and Marlborough College before reading psychology at Brunel University. After qualifying as a chartered surveyor, he worked in London and Hong Kong where he and his second wife, Diane, lived for thirty-three years. In 2005, Philip began a new career in publishing and also set up his own business, offering editorial, design and photography services. He and Diane returned to live in London in 2017, although they keep a pied-a-terre in Hong Kong to escape the English winters. To find out more about the author, visit philipnourse.com.
Reviews
"I have just finished your book, which I enjoyed very much. We were very fortunate to live in Hong Kong during the 80s and 90s and we certainly lived life to the full. Many of the property names were people I knew well. I admire you for having the tenacity to embark on and complete your biography." - Mike, Edinburgh "One Life, Two Worlds' is a very interesting story of an exciting and varied life brilliantly described - with vivid descriptions from many parts of the world of which I only have surface knowledge." - Arild, Guernsey "I loved reading your book. Over the years I worked with you, I knew too little about you. This book opens up your life - magic." - Michelle, Hong Kong "This is a very enjoyable read. The book moves at pace and kept me engaged, so much so that I was eager to get back to it and I read it quickly. Because I lived in Hong Kong for a while, it brought back many happy memories and took me right back there. An interesting and informative look at the life of expats in a former UK colony in modern times. Thank you." - Frances, New Zealand "What a life! Intimate, informative, skilful photo montage on the cover, cleverly linking your life with major geopolitical and similar events. The story flows and throughout it raises the question of what next? Thank you for a very good read. I look forward to your next book." - Christopher, Surrey "It was fascinating to read your life story. You came across exactly as the man I remember: if I may say, a man of integrity in both his private and commercial lives. You were very brave in baring your life in such a way. I would never dare do that but I suspect I would fall short of your standards. It was amusing how your life revolved around girlfriends, whisky, wine, good food and travel. Women certainly feature much. I appreciated the building of the relationship with your daughter, which is a tribute to you both. I was amazed at how many true friends you have both clearly made. Far more than I. An expat life does help with that as you are all thrown more together but it is still impressive." - Guy, West Sussex "I was very curious, in a nosy-parker way, to see how the other half live! I recognised a few of the personalities you mentioned. You have been very fortunate in your friends." - Frank, Hong Kong "I bought a copy and enjoyed it very much. Never knew about your father and his interesting life. You kept that secret. Brought back many wonderful memories for me." - Paul, Hong Kong "We really enjoyed hearing so much about your life. Bits we knew and bits we didn't." - Barry, Hong Kong "Brilliant cover!" - Magnus, Hong Kong "It's a fabulous read!" - Nigel, London "The reason I found this book refreshing is that it is a biography - not by anyone famous but by someone who has taken and benefited from the opportunities afforded to him. Spending a great deal of his life trying to discover what he was good at doing and even more importantly what he enjoyed doing. Philip Nourse takes us on a journey from Windsor Castle, where he lived and was a chorister at St George's Chapel, to living in London and spending many years working in Hong Kong. What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the way he told his fascinating story but then linked it with major events happening around the world, which really helped in giving a timeline and a feel for the period he was covering." - Mike, London
Book Information
ISBN 9781800420878
Author Philip Nourse
Format Paperback
Page Count 274
Imprint SilverWood Books Ltd
Publisher SilverWood Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 550g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 20mm
