For Two Sovereigns

About the Book

For Two Sovereigns is an historical adventure novel. It intertwines the historical accuracy of 18th century naval action with the training of a young RAF fast-jet pilot of the 1960s. The intertwining happens because the pilot, Peter Moore, undergoes a series of experimental hypnotic regressions which speed him back to the previous life of a young Cornishman, Jack Wilbraham. Jack has grown up in Lostwithiel, the capital of Cornwall. He becomes involved in smuggling with his father but eventually joins the Royal Navy and sees action notably during the evacuation of Toulon and the Battle of the Nile. A tragic accident leaves Peter permanently with the life memory of Jack. Will it affect his flying career? We learn of the two young men's family background, their lives and loves and how they lived their lives. We experience smuggling action and discover the intricacies of smuggling in the 18th century.

We accurately witness Peter learning to fly, progressing from the Chipmunk, through the Jet Provost and Gnat, to the Hawker Hunter and a 'posting' to the Far East. We learn the aircraft cockpit drills, witness the thrill of going solo, experience sea survival training, decompression training and jungle survival training. We witness Peter flying anti-guerrilla warfare missions over the Malayan jungle in support of the SAS. There is a breathtaking finale and a subtle twist right at the end. Pathway to the Stars follows.

About the Author

Julian Leigh was born and raised in South Yorkshire. As a child he was always keen on flying and joined the RAF in 1965 to train as a pilot. After completing his Day Fighter Ground Attack course on the single seat Hawker Hunter, he was posted to the Far East in the late 1960s. In 1979, after an extensive period as an instructor on the Hunter, he converted to the single seat Jaguar ground attack aircraft and was posted to Germany. By 1990 he was flying the Jaguar at RAF Coltishall, in Norfolk, where he was involved in a supporting role during the first Gulf War and flew operational reconnaissance missions over North Iraq after it. His interest in sailing began during his tour in the Far East. He subsequently qualified as a Commercial Offshore Yachtmaster and took novice servicemen and women on adventurous sailing courses. Julian retired from the RAF in 1996 after 31 years service and now sails a classic Hillyard wooden yacht, which he has skippered commercially. He has also been actively involved in the sailing of the replica eighteenth century frigate Grand Turk and the topsail schooner Julia of Gibraltar, both of which starred in the TV Hornblower series. He recently captained the replica ancient Greek man-of-war Achilles for the blockbuster film Troy starring Brad Pitt. Julian resides by the sea in Devon from where he sails for pleasure, and writes his 'aero-nautical' historical novels.