Following is a brief synopsis of each of the books listed on the main page.
To order or just find out more about the books - click on the (green bit) at the end of each synopsis.
NON-FICTION - THEME PARKS
Wizarding Worlds After you've read the books and seen the films, you can get even more Harry Potter in his theme parks, studio tours, and film prop exhibitions. William Silvester traces the development of these venues and provides entertaining walk-throughs of each. Though merely a Muggle, Silvester expertly blends Potter lore with behind-the-scenes accounts of the design, construction, and politics involved in the creation of the Wizarding Worlds, from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley to Japan. You'll learn both how they were built and what each offers in the way of rides, shows, shops, and restaurants. In addition to the Wizarding Worlds, this book also covers the lesser-known Potter destinations, from Movie World in Australia to the British Museum's History of Magic exhibition—and even a peek at the possibility of a new Wizarding World in Universal's forthcoming park in Beijing, China. (available from Amazon in paperback or Kindle)
Building Magic: Disney's Overseas Theme Parks This is the exciting, behind the scenes story of the overseas Disney theme parks. Discover why they were built where they are, who wanted them constructed and the problems and controversies that were faced in the building and expansion of these magical places. ( from BearManor Media in hardcover or softcover or from Amazon.com in both forms and Kindle)
NON-FICTION - BIOGRAPHY
The Adventures of Young Walt Disney Before Disney was a brand, before Mickey Mouse and Snow White, before Disneyland, it was just Walt, Young Walt Disney. Everything that Walt Disney became he credited to where he came from. This book sheds scholarly pretence and gives a fresh, readable account of Walt Disney growing up on the family farm in Marceline, driving for the Red Cross in France and creating his first animated cartoons in Kansas City. Published by Theme Park Press (available from Amazon in paperback or Kindle)
Saving Disney: The Roy E. Disney Story If it had not been for Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and son of Roy O. Disney, every animated film after The Great Mouse Detective would probably never have been made! For the first time ever, a biography of this quiet, unassuming but remarkable man who saved Disney from take over and ruin, not once, but twice. He began his career at the bottom, worked his way up through True Life Adventure films to eventually head the animation department and lead it from being eliminated to the box office giant it is today. Published by Theme Park Press (available from Amazon in paperback or Kindle)
NON-FICTION - HISTORY
Battles of British Columbia Before written history huge war canoes plied the coastal shores carrying war to their neighbours, First Nations battled each other until the Europeans discovered their lands bringing guns and strife and more battles. These seldom told stories range from legends told by elders, to the Gold War and the Chilcoltin War, to the attacks by the Japanese during World War II as part of the exciting story of the growth of British Columbia into a modern province. Published by Willwin Publications (Kindle Edition)
Battles of the Plains From the early days of the First Nations on the plains of western Canada battles have raged between the tribes. These evolved with the introduction of firearms and horses and the arrival of the white man to spread the wars even further. These seldom told stories range from legends told by elders to the Rebellion of 1885 to the Commonwealth Air Training Program of the Second World War and tell the exciting story of the growth of Alberta and Saskatchewan as modern provinces. Published by Willwin Publications (Kindle Edition)
Battles of Manitoba and the Territories From the early days of the First Nations in Manitoba battles have raged between the tribes. These evolved with the introduction of firearms and horses and the arrival of the white man and the battles between the French and English and later the Nor'westers and the Bay Company. These seldom told stories range from legends told by elders to the Red River Rebellion, the Pemmican War, the battles for the Yukon and the Fenian invasions to the First and Second World Wars and tell the exciting story of the growth of Manitoba as a modern province. Published by Willwin Publications (Kindle Edition)
Colwood Chronicles From First Nations to incorporation this is the history of the City of Colwood including such nationally know landmarks as Fort Rodd Hill, Fisgard lighthouse and Royal Roads as well as Colwood pioneer families and the churches, schools and inns they frequented. Published by the Colwood Heritage Advisory Commission (Paperback)
History of Colwood Pioneer Cemetery First written in 1990 by Peter Townsend for the City of Colwood it was updated in 2013 by William Silvester to provide a more thorough history of the pioneers of the area and their final resting place. Published by the Colwood Heritage Advisory Commission (Paperback)
History of St. John the Baptist Church St. John's Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. This book provides a comprehensive history of the church, its ministers and cemetery. Published by the Colwood Heritage Advisory Commission (Paperback)
Tales of Valour Tales of Valour chronicles the exciting stories of sacrifice and bravery of the sixteen men with a Canadian connection who earned the Victoria Cross in the 19th Century. Focusing on the fact that these are ordinary men who have performed an extraordinary deed there is a great deal of information about the lives of the VC recipients both before and after their valiant deed rather than the customary description of the event only. Published by Willwin Publications (Kindle Edition)
Tales of Gallantry The long awaited and highly anticipated companion volume to Tales of Valour is now available from Amazon. These are the exciting stories of Canada's George Cross recipients, the medal devised by King George VI for heroism not in the face of the enemy. Published by Willwin Publications(Kindle Edition)
COLLECTIBLES AND HOBBIES
Disneyland and Walt Disney World Postcard Folder Guidebook by Linda Cervon and William Silvester - the most comprehensive and detailed listing of the almost 100 postcard folders issued for the Disney Theme Parks in America. First compiled in the 1990s it is now in its 5th edition and includes many colour scans as well as detailed information on all the cards shown inside and the many varieties available. This unofficial 100+ page book is a must for every Disney fan and postcard folder collector and is available in pdf format for only $6 (US). Published by Willwin Publications(pdf by email)
Disney Theme Park Souvenir Guides by William Silvester - is the most comprehensive and detailed listing of the Souvenir Guides given away at the park entrances. First compiled in the 1990s it is now in its 2nd Revised Edition and includes detailed information on all the guides shown and the many varieties available. This unofficial 50 page book is a must for every Disney fan and collector and is available in pdf format for only $6 (US). Published by Willwin Publications (pdf by email)
Harry Potter Collector's Handbook Action Figures, Books, Ornaments, Costumes, Calendars, Art, Coins, Dolls, Jewelry, Lunch Boxes, Toys, Movies and much more,Harry Potter Casts His Spell on Collectors. Welcome, Muggles, to the magic, mystery, and merchandise of the wonderful wizarding world of Harry Potter!Harry Potter Collector's Handbook will bewitch you with colourful images and current values of licensed products based on the famous boy wizard and his charming chums and nefarious foes. Just for you, we've conjured: 1,000+ spellbinding listings, pictures, and secondary market values. Information arranged—magically!—in alphabetical order to make it easy to find what you're looking for. A diverse array of collectibles from rare first editions of books worth thousands of dollars to items worth slightly fewer galleons. Published by Krause Publications (Paperback and Kindle Edition)
Disneyana on Stamps Handbook includes all of the authorized Disney stamps and postal cards from 1968 to 2023 in full colour with Scott catalogue checklists and descriptions as well as Unauthorized Stamps, Stamps and Labels, Personalized Stamps, Special Cancels, Postage Meters, Covers, Cards and Cinderellas. Over 1000 pages, a must for every Disney stamps collectors. Published by Disneyana of Stamps Society (pdf from DoSS)
A Philatelic Guide to the Commonwealth Games includes - illustrations of all of the Commonwealth Games stamps from 1930 - 2018 - as well as Cancels, Postage Meters, Covers, Cards and more. 2nd Edition (2018) available soon. Published by Willwin Publications (pdf by email)
Harry Potter Philatelic Guide a complete, full illustrated handbook to Harry Potter stamps, cancels, meters, personalized sheets, covers and Owl Post. 2nd Edition (2018) now available. Published by Willwin Publications (pdf by email)
The Solo Wargaming Guide Can't find a tabletop wargame opponent? This easily-readable guide provides the tools needed to undertake tabletop wargame campaigns without the need for other players. The guidelines presented within are designed to supplement your favourite wargaming rules set. They can be bent or twisted, even broken and reformed, to suit a wargamer's needs. Novices and veterans alike can employ these ideas and innovations to further the thrill of pitting army against army without the need for another player. Features methodologies for campaigns (mobilization, weather, logistics, morale, alliances, revolts, sieges, and mutinies), sea campaigns, integrating fantasy, tactical actions (terrain, weather, commander's competency, concealment, ambushes, and minefields), and air warfare. Published by Precis Intermedia (paperback from Amazon)
FICTION
Terror at Fort Rodd After witnessing a hit and run Joe finds himself unwillingly up against a gang of terrorists who will stop at nothing, including murder, to achieve their objectives. With the help of his younger brother he must stop them and prevent an attack at historic Fort Rodd Hill. Published by Willwin Publications (Kindle Edition)
The Constable's Daughter When a little girl disappears, Joe and Kristen join in the search and soon find themselves tracking drug smugglers who will stop at nothing to get what they want. Published by Willwin Publications (Kindle Edition)