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Cola Boy: Three Stripes And Out
'Three Stripes And Out' is a three part collection of all the Cola Boy books. Jimmy's story starts in 1996 as the 24-year-old quits the tombstone grey skies of Scotland for the sun-kissed beaches of Dubai. An ambitious news reporter and small-time club DJ, he’s revelling in the excesses of expat life, pushing boundaries, trying to make a name for himself and daring to organise Dubai’s first desert rave. But the consequences are severe as he soon falls deep into Dubai’s criminal underworld.
'A brilliant debut about Generation X getting lost in the desert. The heat, the music and the right gear in all respects jumps off the page at you. This is a rip roaring ride about how a man can be in the wrong place at the right time.' - Jonny Owen (Film Producer, Writer, Actor)
'Massive tunes and shady transactions that will evoke both smiles and nostalgia.' - Graeme Park (DJ and music producer)
‘Sky high, stylish tales of Arabian nights from the down to earth cruder side of the expat Gulf scene. Cola Boy’s tale reads like a Dubai Rum Diaries in a sandstorm of uncomplacent reality. A bold, well paced debut.’ - DJ Dribbler/For Mankind (DJ and Author)
'A nostalgic trip down memory lane of the 90s scene while opening my eyes to pastures new of Dubai in the 90s. The characters and story are as vivid and bright as the 49 degrees sun! Get involved with Cola Boy - it’s the real thing!' - Leo Gregory (Actor - Green Street, The Hooligan Factory)
‘If you know the heat of the UAE then this book transports you right there with the added certainty that if you don’t play by the rules there are consequences. Cola Boy is a banging read for those hot summer beach vibes!’- Danny Clockwork (DJ and Author)
'A riveting birds-eye view of youth culture that perfectly transcends the blueprint of the northern soul beginnings, to the equally drug-fuelled partying of modern day clubbing and lifestyle. If you were there, you’ll love it!' - Yogi Haughton (DJ and Writer)
‘A fast paced, kinetic debut from a writer with his finger on the pulse of the working class culture. Endearing, exciting and authentic.’ - Dean Cavanagh (Author & Screen Writer - Creation Stories, Crime, Svengali)
'A brilliant debut about Generation X getting lost in the desert. The heat, the music and the right gear in all respects jumps off the page at you. This is a rip roaring ride about how a man can be in the wrong place at the right time.' - Jonny Owen (Film Producer, Writer, Actor)
'Massive tunes and shady transactions that will evoke both smiles and nostalgia.' - Graeme Park (DJ and music producer)
‘Sky high, stylish tales of Arabian nights from the down to earth cruder side of the expat Gulf scene. Cola Boy’s tale reads like a Dubai Rum Diaries in a sandstorm of uncomplacent reality. A bold, well paced debut.’ - DJ Dribbler/For Mankind (DJ and Author)
'A nostalgic trip down memory lane of the 90s scene while opening my eyes to pastures new of Dubai in the 90s. The characters and story are as vivid and bright as the 49 degrees sun! Get involved with Cola Boy - it’s the real thing!' - Leo Gregory (Actor - Green Street, The Hooligan Factory)
‘If you know the heat of the UAE then this book transports you right there with the added certainty that if you don’t play by the rules there are consequences. Cola Boy is a banging read for those hot summer beach vibes!’- Danny Clockwork (DJ and Author)
'A riveting birds-eye view of youth culture that perfectly transcends the blueprint of the northern soul beginnings, to the equally drug-fuelled partying of modern day clubbing and lifestyle. If you were there, you’ll love it!' - Yogi Haughton (DJ and Writer)
‘A fast paced, kinetic debut from a writer with his finger on the pulse of the working class culture. Endearing, exciting and authentic.’ - Dean Cavanagh (Author & Screen Writer - Creation Stories, Crime, Svengali)
682 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
About the author
Ryan Battles
3 books3 followersRyan started his passion for writing at 21 when he launched a music and fashion fanzine in his home city of Aberdeen.
He then went onto to become a qualified journalist writing for national newspapers in the UK and in the United Arab Emirates. He was on the tail end of the Second Summer of Love, heading to Ibiza for the first time in 1990 and like so many came back with a different outlook on life. From then on, he DJ'd and promoted several nights and today runs the 'POV' vinyl only event in London.
He then went onto to become a qualified journalist writing for national newspapers in the UK and in the United Arab Emirates. He was on the tail end of the Second Summer of Love, heading to Ibiza for the first time in 1990 and like so many came back with a different outlook on life. From then on, he DJ'd and promoted several nights and today runs the 'POV' vinyl only event in London.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 16, 2025
Loved this update on Jimmy’s life. He’s one of those guys you just want to know about. The music, the excesses, the situations he gets into. It is definitely leading the way to another book of his life and I for one can’t wait Loved the first 2 books and this one that brings all 3 together in one. Get it read!
Displaying 1 of 1 review