Product Description
David B. Jones was a man who made the most of life. His 54 years were packed full of enterprise and adventure. These letters tell the story of David and his family, his enthusiasms, his concern over world politics, third-world development and agriculture and his special love for Africa. The letters recount experiences in Europe, the U.S.A., the West indies, India, Bhutan, numerous African countries, and France. He was an esteemed economist with various publications to his name and had worked for the Oxford Institute of Economics and Statistics, the United Nations in Geneva, the Overseas Development Institute (London), The Ford Foundation, Crown Agents (London)and the World Bank, in addition to consultancy projects. His particular expertise lay in knowledge of land management, agriculture and food production in under-developed countries.
At the time of his death in March 1997, he was Resident Representative of the World Bank in Chad, Africa. He was hit by a car driven by a smuggler trying to evade customs men in N'Djamena. In the weeks before his death he was visiting hospitals, schools and other institutions in Chad, investigating the most needy and fruitful areas for World Bank Support.
After his death a Charity was set up by the World Bank in his memory, to support Chadian girls in secondary education.
Throughout his life, David was an enthusiast - linguist, explorer, anthropologist, botanist, rose, grape and orchid cultivator, planter of trees, experimenter in self-sufficiency, gourmet and cook, gardener, builder, intrepid driver through inhospitable territory, lover of safaris, sailing and wind-surfing (notwithstanding lions, crocs and hippos), climbing, camping, trekking, amateur dramatics and music making, craftsman, student of world religions, antique collector...
He was fascinated by people and their motivation, an avid reader, eloquent writer, communicator and public speaker, astute and prophetic in his political observations.... the list is endless. He had an endearing sense of humour. Above all, he was honest, generous, friendly and likeable, wonderfully stimulating company and endlessly inventive.
Add to this love of family - a dedicated son, brother, husband and father. He was no saint; he loved life in all its fullness and gained as well as giving. His was a charmed life, cut short and yet fulfilling both for him and for those around him.
All this is revealed in the hundreds of letters which form the bulk of the book. Readers may share some of David's energy, vitality and zest for life.
At the time of his death in March 1997, he was Resident Representative of the World Bank in Chad, Africa. He was hit by a car driven by a smuggler trying to evade customs men in N'Djamena. In the weeks before his death he was visiting hospitals, schools and other institutions in Chad, investigating the most needy and fruitful areas for World Bank Support.
After his death a Charity was set up by the World Bank in his memory, to support Chadian girls in secondary education.
Throughout his life, David was an enthusiast - linguist, explorer, anthropologist, botanist, rose, grape and orchid cultivator, planter of trees, experimenter in self-sufficiency, gourmet and cook, gardener, builder, intrepid driver through inhospitable territory, lover of safaris, sailing and wind-surfing (notwithstanding lions, crocs and hippos), climbing, camping, trekking, amateur dramatics and music making, craftsman, student of world religions, antique collector...
He was fascinated by people and their motivation, an avid reader, eloquent writer, communicator and public speaker, astute and prophetic in his political observations.... the list is endless. He had an endearing sense of humour. Above all, he was honest, generous, friendly and likeable, wonderfully stimulating company and endlessly inventive.
Add to this love of family - a dedicated son, brother, husband and father. He was no saint; he loved life in all its fullness and gained as well as giving. His was a charmed life, cut short and yet fulfilling both for him and for those around him.
All this is revealed in the hundreds of letters which form the bulk of the book. Readers may share some of David's energy, vitality and zest for life.
From the Publisher
A most attractive book, made easier to digest by being set under headings giving a guide to subjects covered. It can thus be enjoyed a little at a time - ideal for browsing during a relaxed holiday, at your leisure.
Illustrated with personal photographs from childhood until the year of his death. A rewarding read, not just for fellow economists!
Illustrated with personal photographs from childhood until the year of his death. A rewarding read, not just for fellow economists!
From the Author
Compiled and edited by David's sister, three years his senior, who followed all his adventures in her heart and loved him dearly. Probably a little biased - but then, most people who met Davod came to love him too!
I have tried to present him as a fully rounded character, not anodyne - he did not suffer fools gladly, and spoke his mind! Those who knew him will never forget him.
Grateful thanks are due to David's widow Nicole, a loyal wife of rare calibre who accompanied him in good times and bad, and whose letters home also form part of the text. Thanks are due to Nicole, and to sons Bernard and Dominic, for checking the text and allowing publication of much personal material.
I have tried to present him as a fully rounded character, not anodyne - he did not suffer fools gladly, and spoke his mind! Those who knew him will never forget him.
Grateful thanks are due to David's widow Nicole, a loyal wife of rare calibre who accompanied him in good times and bad, and whose letters home also form part of the text. Thanks are due to Nicole, and to sons Bernard and Dominic, for checking the text and allowing publication of much personal material.
About the Author
Sheila Wright, born 1939, wife, mother, teacher, and Lay Reader in the Church of England, was educated at Wyggeston Grammar School, Leicester; Bretton Hall Teachers' Training College, Yorkshire; and the University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Married for nearly fifty years to Ron, a music teacher, organist, choir and band master, who never complains when she spends hours at the computer and the house fills up with boxes of books!
Sheila and Ron have seven children, and (currently)fourteen grandchildren. They have lived for nearly forty years in a Tudor farmhouse in a quiet Suffolk village, in two acres of garden. They spend several weeks each year in a fermette in central France which they are slowly restoring to something like habitable condition.
Sheila spends her time gardening, playing the violin. painting in water colours, and of course writing. She has written four books to date, also published others, notably a fantasy story, "Guhreten". written by great-nephew Alistair Jones at the age of twelve.
More books are in the planning stage!
Married for nearly fifty years to Ron, a music teacher, organist, choir and band master, who never complains when she spends hours at the computer and the house fills up with boxes of books!
Sheila and Ron have seven children, and (currently)fourteen grandchildren. They have lived for nearly forty years in a Tudor farmhouse in a quiet Suffolk village, in two acres of garden. They spend several weeks each year in a fermette in central France which they are slowly restoring to something like habitable condition.
Sheila spends her time gardening, playing the violin. painting in water colours, and of course writing. She has written four books to date, also published others, notably a fantasy story, "Guhreten". written by great-nephew Alistair Jones at the age of twelve.
More books are in the planning stage!
