It was a very good school, Langleybury Secondary Modern, in Hertfordshire, later to be classified as fully comprehensive, the ‘in’ phrase of the time. On the face of it, it was no different to many other ordinary state schools of the time in England, but it was the teachers that elevated it. For me, I loved going to Langleybury, it was great fun, and we learned lots of stuff! Much of it has, on the face of it, not been of that much actual practical use, but that isn’t the point. What they taught me and many of my contemporaries was how to learn. My English teacher was – still is! – a wonderful lady, and a fantastic teacher. She instilled much discipline within us, particularly those students, like me, who sometimes had a tendency to have the concentration span of a gnat, whereby staring out of a window wasn’t actually the way to go!

She taught me much though, and the most important thing that she absolutely encouraged was for us to express ourselves. I loved writing, in my own style, and enjoyed reading to a similar degree. I had many other teachers who left their mark on me – in good ways – and one that holds another large amount of respect in my memory was the master of the upper school. He didn’t actually take any of the lessons that I attended, but he played as big a part in my final two years at school as any of the teachers who did take my lessons. I will never forget the words he wrote in my end of year report when I was fifteen. “Alec is a personable youngster who is clearly bright, but he does seem to have his own ideas about absolutely everything!” I asked ‘Sir’ if this was bad. He explained that I may well get myself into a few scrapes and arguments, but no, on the whole it was a good thing. He said I should always express myself, in a positive manner, and if I did then this was good. 

When, eighteen months ago, I decided I was going to write a book, those words from my late mentor were very much in the forefront of my mind, and it was against that backdrop that I duly produced this here little book. 

It is, as the cover will give you a clue, about the crooks and idiots that control our lives. “Decades of being conned by politicians, bankers, and others“. I had no intention whatsoever of writing anything else, by way of a follow-up, but it was pretty well received by friends and a few others, so, encouraged by many to do another, I wrote this.

“Another visit to the corridors of corruption”.  Both books are highly satirical, and many have told me that they “laughed so much they hurt” while reading both books. Not only are they quite funny, so I’m told, but they hold a fairly serious message  in amongst the mocking and joking about the people who control our entire lives. Here are a couple of happy readers’ reviews. Everyone should read it!, 30 Jan 2014  By  Georgina – See all my reviews   This review is from: If Brains Were Dynamite (Kindle Edition) Whether you’re a staunch political activist, or a teen embarking on the journey of life, this book is for you. Alec Hawkes has a marvellous way with words and I found myself at times laughing out loud and thinking that I had slipped into the realm of fiction ….Er, no! This is our world! You don’t have to agree with the writer’s views when it comes to the topics discussed, but his characterisation is impressive, that’s for sure. However, be warned! I was left with bleats of ‘Baa’ ringing in my head once I’d finished, and I don’t think I will ever view Westminster in the same light! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  And a review of the first book… only common sense to buy this, 7 Mar 2013  By  A Roberts – See all my reviews   Verified Purchase(What is this?) This review is from: Common Sense Would Be Good (Kindle Edition) If you like middle-of-the-road, boring stuff, then don’t buy this book. It packs a real punch, aimed at the greed of those idiot politicians, and bankers that are constantly ruining our lives. Even the Supermarkets cop it from the author. He says the things that many people are thinking but are too afraid to say. It is a very humorous look at the things that are upsetting most of us today, and nobody escapes his sledge hammer wit (quite rightly). Buy this book, you will be thoroughly entertained, even if the subjects are the things and people that annoy the hell out of you! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  It seems that many people enjoyed both books, and this has encouraged me to write a third, which is now published and ‘out there‘ for whoever would like to read the opinions of an ordinary Englishman, who has a keen sense of humour and irony. I realised long ago that many folk on our little island, and beyond, have been completely turned off by politics as the politicians appear not to listen to them, and are far more concerned with feathering their own nests than doing the job we expect them to do. We need to be governed, but we need them to listen We need people to engage in the debate, some do, but not enough and not many young people. It is to this end that I believe the best way to get people interested is make them laugh. Everyone likes a good laugh! Here is the new book. The cover, and title, will probably tell you all you need to know about the content inside…            This, my latest offering, is expanding the theme to include the corrupt systems of government in other places as well as Britain, as the cover picture would tell you. I personally think this one is the best of the three by far. Still very funny, I hope, but much harder hitting. Almost like a big kick in the gut of our vainglorious leaders and the systems they perpetuate. Whether this book, or the first two actually are funny, and strike a chord is obviously for others to judge.  All three books are available to buy through all Amazon outlets, in both paperback and kindle download. However, for the next few days I am offering the first two TOTALLY FREE – only for Kindle downloads.  Here are the links….     http://www.amazon.co.uk/Common-Sense-Would-Be-Good-ebook/dp/B009W93FJI/ref=la_B00FLY9DP8_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397672939&sr=1-5 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brains-Were-Dynamite-Alec-Hawkes-ebook/dp/B00CWVCVIO/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0HXBAGB6J45J555F4R7Y   and in the US… http://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Would-Be-Good-ebook/dp/B009W93FJI/ref=la_B00FLY9DP8_1_2_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397674243&sr=1-2 http://www.amazon.com/Brains-Were-Dynamite-Alec-Hawkes-ebook/dp/B00CWVCVIO/ref=la_B00FLY9DP8_1_3_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397674243&sr=1-3 Thank you very much, enjoy the books…  if you read them! Alec Hawkes      just an ordinary bloke trying his best. 16.04.14