By Les Bird
Published by Earnshaw Books (2019)
Having lived in Hong Kong for eight years, writes Trystan Grace, I was especially drawn to this book about life in the city’s Marine Police in the 1970s. Les Bird joined the force in 1976, and his career spanned a time of rapid change in the then British colony. The book is a real page turner as you follow Les’s escapades facing refugees escaping the tyranny of the communist cultural revolution, mainland organised crime and cross-border smuggling. As a senior officer, Les was instrumental in dealing with sensitive situations, such as the flood of refugees fleeing Vietnam to seek asylum. A Small Band of Men is an excellent read filled with fascinating events and characters. Available on Amazon and Kindle.