New Releases by Nick Greaves

This book is an autobiographical account of how the author, attempting to make a living out commercial property development from the late 1960s, was diverted into the pursuit of something almost impossibly aspirational: an answer to the mechanism behind thought. It is written in the first person singular: how else really for such a subjective subject for which there are not yet any solutions which have been pronounced and agreed as valid? My hypothesis has been developed on and off since 1978, and has received support in fits and starts since then, especially recently when one of its central themes correlates well with recent crucial experimental research on quantum entanglement.

The characters in ''Mind out of Time'' seek answers to the last major problem that has remained unresolved far too long. Despite the huge advances in scientific knowledge and technology made over the 20th century, the explanation of the mechanism of the mind is still as elusive as it was at the end of the 19th century. The science elite of today have spent many billions of Government funds on research to extract a final answer to everything which a number of physicists and philosophers seem to consider close at hand, despite the fact that they still have no inkling of the mechanism behind the operation of memory and intuition which appears to have little if anything to do with existing computer technology. Without some new principle on which to base the workings of mind and memory, there is little chance of a solution to this perennial problem. Alfred had taken time away from a venal and tedious job as a commercial property surveyor working on huge office development schemes in the West end of London. His intention was to write a novel about an individual who transfers himself back through time to become his great grandfather to the power of five with interesting consequences for his descendants. When suffering from writer''s block, to fill in time he decides on a course of self education in the Reading Room of the British Museum on a number of subjects about which he knows little. In doing so, almost aimlessly he attempts a quasi scientific explanation of sorts for this time transference process. He comes up with a rationale loosely based on principles of physics and quantum entanglement, which seems just about plausible, in as far as his limited knowledge of physics allows. The novel is never completed and he returns back to routine office life as a development surveyor. A little later a very competent academic biochemist produces a surprise and controversial best seller, very similar to Alfred''s thesis, and which revitalises his interest. Quite some years later whilst attending a conference on physics and spirituality, he by chance meets Lucius, a wealthy entrepreneur with an interest in the unascertained powers of the mind, and he realises here is a chance to persuade this multimillionaire to provide funding for an experiment he has in mind. If successful, Alfred considers it would provide a proof for his theory of how information is transferred through time, and hence a mechanism for memory. That in turn could lead to the development of artificial intelligence and a few other spin off phenomena besides. Perhaps he could persuade Lucius of the potential success of such an experiment by describing what the implications and results might be. The first part of this book is based on a fair amount of personal experience of the author and the second part is fiction but not necessarily beyond the bounds of possibility, as indicated by references to research carried out in the last few decades and in particular to that of Rupert Sheldrake.

Author Nick Greaves continues the ancient tradition of storytelling in this renamed and freshly jacketed edition by recounting the myths and legends of southern African tribes. Aimed at 7–12 year olds, the 19 stories in this volume introduce a magical cast of characters, from a feisty buck, greedy vultures and a bewitched crocodile to an arrogant bat and the perpetually crafty hare. The collection of tales is a delightful addition to the successful series by the author, including When Hippo was Hairy, When Lion Could Fly, When Elephant was King, and When Bat was a Bird.

Why does Monkey fear Leopard? Why does the Reed Warbler babble? How did Jabulani outwit the Lion? These and other intriguing questions are answered in When Bat was a Bird. Twenty four fresh and exciting stories feature memorable creatures both real and magical. Information boxes provide supporting information about the people, animals, reptiles, insects and birds of Africa. Over 90 full-colour illustrations bring the wealth and beauty of African wildlife alive for children. In his latest collection author Nick Greaves draws once more from the lore, mythology and history of various southern African tribes to relate a new collection of tales that is bound to become a firm favourite along with the highly successful When Hippo was Hairy, When Lion could Fly and When Elephant was King.

Distinguished British diplomat Sir John Little seems to be living out his days quietly in retirement, until one evening he goes for a swim outside his beach house in the Bahamas and doesn’t come back. Was it an unfortunate accident, suicide, or a well-planned murder? British Foreign Office employee Michael Burton and Bahamian detective Chester King are given the job of finding out. With little to go on, and still less volunteered by the diplomat’s enigmatic wife and the unexpected heir who practices black magic, Burton and King discover that all is not what it appears.

Following When Hippo was Hairy and When Lion Could Fly, this is a further collection of traditional wildlife tales. Twenty-five African fables about elephants are combined with factual information about elephants and their conservation, designed to appeal to both children and adults.

Over thirty fascinating stories from African folklore and mythology about the animals of the grasslands and rainforest, with fact files about each creature and maps showing their distribution.

This is a collection of tales from Africa.