A Scattering of Ashes

by Craig Douglas

Craig Douglas brings you tales of conflict and tension. Soldiers and Revolutionaries alike take on a struggle. Let Craig take you to the places you don’t want to go and walk the dusty fields of Afghanistan with British soldiers, dodge bullets from the British Police force as you march to the House of Commons, trace the steps of a Nazi as we unravel his shameful past and walk in the steps of soldiers in the bandit country of Northern Ireland.

Raw cuts of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, most of the characters within this collection are sufferers. Stripped to the bone, these are tales of humanity at war with itself.

103 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Craig Douglas was born in Ely on a rainy, May morning in 1972, after a traumatic bus ride to the hospital. Since his conception he’s been what has been termed as a Pad’s Brat and travelled to Germany a couple of times to savour the taste of German Bier. He began writing at 14 when he wrote 2 page periodicals on the intrepid adventures of Conan the Stamp Collector. Somewhat disillusioned with village life he joined the British Army in 1990 and began a tumultuous, rather haphazard journey through Army life. Accruing memories and experiences along the way have helped him form the basis of many a short story. He has served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Iraq, Cyprus and Afghanistan.

He currently lives in Rugby with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Darren Sant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across Craig Douglas in Byker Books Radgepacket series of gritty anthologies that pride themselves on being industrial strength fiction. Craig’s stories stood out as having more emotional substance. That I think is the nub of Craig’s talent for writing. I don’t know how he does it is so subtle but you feel a connection with his writing, with his characters it’s both magical and rare.

His descriptive writing is second to none. He pretends to be a Radgey character but underneath he has the soul of a poet not a squaddie. I know he’d deny this with fervour so here’s an example:

Dappled flashes played on the bed between the shadows of boughs. Dust rises from the windowsill, something displaces it.

I could fill this blog post with more examples but I’d rather you read them for yourselves in the fantastic collection. If you need any further encouragement he is donating 50% of the proceeds to the BLESMA charity for limbless veterans.

I’ve written a little something about each of the stories below to further whet your appetite:

Murder Among Comrades - Mistrust, suspicion & paranoia define this exciting tale as bullets fly overhead.

The Last Veteran - A touching tale told with emotion & beautifully descriptive writing.

Trial Of Meat - Short. Brutal. Real.

The Trouble With Milkmen - A strangely touching ending. Men no matter how tough are still hurt little boys at heart.

Thunder on the horizon -
Scarily prophetic, sharp incisive brilliant social commentary.

Digging Up The Past - A simple act brings back memories of the past.

Flesh & Blood - Douglas writes melancholy so well. This story set in the Falklands is so sharply realistic that it could be a documentary. A sad tale that speaks true to the heart.

Welcome Home - The harsh reality of war

Scargill’s Man - A very sad tale that Craig brings to life expertly. A world weary melancholy atmosphere that is almost off the page it's so tangible.

The Incident At Wedzendorf Woods - Hollywood never tells the full story of the things that go on in war. Craig Douglas does here.

British Pride: A Nazi's Tale - A bigot released from prison finds the world a very different place. His crimes unforgivable

Rejoice In Thy Youth - Could there be hope for the future with a new life?

Homecoming - A cracking realistic story that could easily be expanded into a novella.

Time Split - An interesting little sci-fi tale very different to the rest of the collection

Magic in the Land of the Pathans - A bittersweet tale of magic & murder

Equal in his Eyes - a cursing shell shocked preacher shows great compassion.

[Victoria Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Tales from the Frontline' is exactly what it says on the cover - it's a collection of stories inspired by Craig's time in the British Army. Serving in Northern Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Cyprus Afghanistan and Iraq, Craig got plenty of inspiration.

These short stories are beautifully written, with lots of description. Craig's writing is really evocative and I felt I was in the stories. Many of these stories are hard-hitting and difficult to read because you know Craig's stories really are happening. The stories are a mixture of humour, grit and poignancy. Craig tries to write in different styles, giving each of his individual characters a believable voice. Some of the characters aren't politically correct, nor do they hold back with colourful language - this just adds to the realism.

This is a really important read for anyone - it shows what war really means to those on the frontline: before, during and after service.

[Cas Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a fabulous selection of short stories. Some are gritty, some amusing, some are poignant. Some are downright surprising! But all are written with passion, pride and tremendous talent. The author has clearly had some life-changing experiences and he shows an uncanny and enviable knack for involving his reader in them. I would strongly recommend this book, the stories make riveting reading. But be warned, it contains strong language as well as some vivid images and un-pc sentiments!

[Jack Prendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever enjoyed the buzz that comes from backing a winner? That’s exactly how I feel after purchasing this excellent book.
This green and pleasant land; if only there was some way to articulate the nameless rage forever tearing away at its insides. Assuredly, Craig Douglas has managed to do just that in this outstanding and truly original compilation of short stories.
From Durham’s pits to Afghanistan’s firing pits; Douglas is a naturally gifted writer with an intimate style and a remarkable ear for the vernacular. The hit list includes everything from South African to Geordie, from Irish to Cockney, with the author effortlessly capturing every bitty nuance of the accents that make up the collective voice of the common soldier.
War is big business, and business is always good, but at what price for the poor sods at the sharp end? Sometimes funny and often surreal, but mostly dark and foreboding, these provocative yarns relentlessly dissect the consequences of modern warfare and its symbiotic stranglehold on the English poor. Our boys never really come home, and these stories reveal why. This is what it means to be born into an underclass so cynically nurtured to provide fodder for John Bull’s war machine.
You won’t find a single dud round in this ammo belt of warrior parables. The Great War still resonates with an eerie power, as does the stench of the Third Reich, the thunder of artillery about Tumbledown, and all those dreadful flashpoints between.
Combat and aftermath; it’s always different, and it’s always the same, as witnessed in this tough, uncompromising book. Here is one writer who truly deserves a wider audience.
An absolute must-buy for connoisseurs of the gut-wrenching twist...