Readers' comments

"Worth Reading"
Over By Christmas (Amazon Kindle Edition)
"A really good historical account of a number of key incidents in WW1 combined with a very good story. I enjoyed it but not quite Bernard Cornwell.
4 out of 5 stars."
By Peter Smith "Peter" (UK), (Amazon.co.UK), 27 March 2013

"A Very Good Read"
Over By Christmas (Amazon Kindle Edition)
"I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Would recommend it to anyone interested in the human side of 1914 and the strata of society back then.
4 out of 5 stars."
By Joburgpaul, (Amazon.com), 20 November 2012

"Excellent!"
Over By Christmas (Amazon Kindle Edition)
"The best book in naval fiction I have read this year. Highly recommendable! Looking at well-known battles from a personal point of view.
5 out of 5 stars"
By klabautermann, (Amazon.com), 31 October 2012

"Brilliant story of love, political intrigue and world war."
"At last, a magnificent work of romance and war by a British author who knows what he's writing about. Ex-Royal Navy officer William Daysh has captured the sweep and vastness of World War One sea battles, when the English Navy was supreme and Germany was determined to destroy it. His wonderfully-described scenes of thunderous naval duels are counterpoint to a story of unrequited (or is it?) love between the British Prime Minister and the young Venetia Stanley, an emotionally-ripping affair that caught him just as Britain was going to war in 1914. From the book: 'The direction of Britain's war effort was...in the hands of decision makers wracked by divisive argument, led by a lovelorn Prime Minister plagued by emotional distractions.'
"It is the story also of a young Royal Navy gunner coming of age through intense tragedy and his own journey through life, love, and heart-breaking loss. Daysh's combat scenes on land and at sea are some of the very best I have ever read, the tender moments among the principals are lovely, and his gift for details and dialogue make 'Over By Christmas' a splendid adventure. A grand tale such as this is the result of masterly talent and, without question, extensive research and dedication to crafting a terrific book. I won't give away the surprising ending but I cannot wait for 'OBC II'! It's fun to imagine what actors will play which parts when 'Over By Christmas' comes to the big screen, as it truly deserves."
Don Struke, Baltimore, MD USA, 26 April 2008

"This book is a fascinating account of the First World War at sea. We are constantly informed about life in the trenches but little is said about this aspect of the war. Excellent research, good characterisation, he captures the (difficult to explain) relationships within marriages where the stiff upper lip was paramount in the older generation and they didn't let their feelings show. All in all a thumping good read, I couldn't put it down.
Would highly recommend."
Anon

Over by Christmas...

"An incredibly well-written, well-researched book, made more interesting by the way the author has woven ordinary people’s lives into the story of the Great war and the government of the day. I feel this book would prove to be interesting and educative to people who would normally not read war stories. The book moves rapidly from one aspect to another so the reader is always ready for more.
Personally I thoroughly enjoyed the book; I read it over two days and I must congratulate the author on the excellent grammar, perfect spelling and totally believable cockney – hard for some authors to handle! The sexual scenes for that era are handled beautifully and I also enjoyed the Asquith chapters! Just shows you what goes on in our government! Talk about Profumo and Prescott!"
Anon

"I very much enjoy historical novels, so was particularly pleased to be able to read this one. I found it to be extremely readable and it gave me an insight to aspects of the First World War and life at home at that time which one hears little about. "
Anon

"This well researched book describes life in the early years of WW1. It is not as you might think a boring history lesson but looks at life and conditions as they were during this period. There is a love story that illustrates all too clearly how little influence women of that time held, leading to Emmeline Pankhurst and her suffrage movement. The Coronel Disaster where two British battleships are sunk with no survivors by a superior German Fleet is brilliantly told and must have the reader wondering how these great ships which look invincible when alongside in Portsmouth Dockyard are really nothing more than death traps. The Gallipoli campaign is well told, in particular the conversations at the British Admiralty between Asquith, Fisher, Churchill and others provide a valuable background and understanding as to why these disasters occur. There is much much more in this book which Bill writes in his convincing and easy to read style and the end came all too quickly. Congratulations on a great effort and put me on the list for OBC2. "

"As a survivor of air combat over Europe during World War Two, I think I have some understanding of how my father’s generation was affected by the 1914-1918 cataclysm known as the War to End All Wars. My father luckily did not experience World War One but had he been English rather than American, he would have seen many of his contemporaries in the British military and government caught up in questionable decisions made by stubborn leaders. The resulting loss of life, equipment and ships is appalling, and the author of Over By Christmas shows how these leaders were unduly influenced by those around them.

The story is told by following the lives of people at the top of government and people far below, who in many cases were sacrificed and sent to death by leaders who made bad decisions without second thoughts or vestige of remorse. You will experience exciting descriptions of German and English battleships manoeuvring while shelling each other, and you’ll witness the terror of the crews while they fight to survive. The realism of war at sea and on land at Gallipoli is absolutely outstanding.
One of the major culprits, if I may use that word, was the British prime minister, who should have focused totally on the future of his nation, but was head-over-heels in love with a woman young enough to be his daughter, to the dismay of his wife. The reader wishes he would spend more time running the country and less time writing letters to the alluring lady. For the book’s young Royal Navy gunner, George, and his shipmates, their futures depend on the courage required to keep going forward in spite of the odds. The continuing love story of George and Carrie was finalized in a bittersweet ending that was different than most affairs of the heart , and yet one could see that it must end that way.
This is a fascinating book with a lot of twists and turns, and thoroughly enjoyable. "
Jim Skophammer, Lincoln, California, USA, 03 June 2008

"I loved your book, the dust lay and so did the laundry. You took me on to the beaches at Turkey, the sun in Malta and to those other places where we all shared many memories. I congratulate you also in the fact that you caused we females no embarrassment in the language used by the servicemen. Only one other author I have read who does that is John Grisham. Not only are you a great author but you are a great gentleman and we are both proud to call you a friend. How much of you is George Royal??

"Over By Christmas is about ordinary lives set within major events during the first two years of the First World War which is so well researched that it includes interesting, and little known, detail about conditions during that period. The story includes a robust fictional cast of characters together with prominent contemporary politicians and senior military personalities which has been assembled into an entertaining docu-drama which, having started to read, is difficult to put down. The story line, with the exception of historical events, is not at all predictable and the ending permits a sequel which I hope will appear soon. I enjoyed this book and have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read."

"This is a beautifully crafted story, expertly interweaving the main fictional characters into the political and social mores at the time of the 1914-18 War. William Daysh has used publicly available data and personal papers to tell a poignant tale of love between George Royal, a young Naval rating and Carrie, a young girl of the servant class. He contrasts this with the sugar-daddy and passionate affair between the British Prime Minister and the young and inexperienced Venetia Stanley.
George's friend Bill Guy first meets and falls in love with Carrie, but she also has eyes for George. The machinations of this triangle, interwoven with expert and vivid descriptions of sea battles and the doomed Dardanelles 'adventure', show the author to have an instinctive sympathy with those serving in the armed forces and facing death. This is an enthralling book."

"Finished Over By Christmas; WELL DONE! I have really enjoyed it.
So nice to see some proper English words used. Claudia wants it next, then Maggie for her book club.
I feel privileged and proud that a friend of mine has written such a good book.
Well done for spelling Pearse the right way!"
Malcolm Pearse, Hertforshire, UK, 11 July 2008

Over By Christmas...

"I really enjoyed Over By Christmas. The descriptions of the naval battles had me there experiencing the whole thing personally. New Zealand places great reverence on the Gallipoli landings and the appalling casualty rate in April 1915. To read of the decisions and processes that took place for that event and then be on board for the naval contribution was most enlightening if sobering for the subsequent sacrifices that were made. For what? I was also infuriated ( so the book did generate some emotion) at Lord Kitchener's comments that it was easy enough to replace men but he couldn't get enough shells! I do not understand how this guy was revered at the end of the war! I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the history of WW1 a little more."

Noel Rawbone, New Zealand, 21 July 2008

"Over By Christmas is a breath of fresh air. "
"At last, here is a book about life in the Great War from the Royal Navy's perspective. It is a "factional" novel in which the author uniquely brings to life many of the powerful, historical characters who were strutting the world stage at that time, making them integral to the fictional world he creates for the loves and lives of ordinary people both on the home front and at sea.
"There is something for everyone here -- wonderfully descriptive accounts of explosive action at sea and on the beaches at Gallipoli, as well as strong characterisation, tender romance and a love triangle -- complete with betrayals -- on the home front. Over-arching all is the intriguing factual story of the British Prime Minister's obsessive love for a young society woman while his warlords are bickering among themselves and courting dire circumstances.
"Over By Christmas is an absorbing read. I
couldn't put it down and I highly recommend it to both male and female readers."
Linda Ferguson, Spain 26 April 2008

"I have just finished reading your book Bill and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. You have a great descriptive gift and an ability to draw in the reader so that I found the book hard to put down. You have obviously spent many an hour on research and it shows from the believable sketches of Asquith and the powers that be that were responsible for running the British cabinet in the first two years of World War One. Well done - what's next?"
Jack Newman, Australia, 06 May 2008

"For a first novel this is a riveting read. Written by an ex Naval Officer this well researched book brings fact and fiction together and I would suggest also his own naval experiences. The battle scenes are first class. I look forward to reading more and expect to see more books on the shelf from William Daysh."
Christopher Barnett, UK, 07 May 2008

Over By Christmas...

A great read - really brought the characters to life & kept you involved with their progress - the whole book was very readable from start to finish. Looking forward to the sequel.
Clive Hall, Surrey, England 31 May 2008

"A thoroughly absorbing read"
"This is a wonderful historical novel from first time author William Daysh. He takes as his background the first 18 months or so of the First World War. His characters are drawn from different strata of society, some real, some fictional, but all are well drawn and believable, and their dialogue convincing. They are caught up in the sweep of international events and personal emotions, and we follow their fate in these dramatic and terrible months. In the upper echelons of society we follow the British prime Minister, Asquith, trying to come to terms with the demands of the war at the same time as his feelings are directed towards a much younger woman. Churchill is there too, `Jacky' Fisher and Lloyd George. The impact their direction of the war has on ordinary men and women is seen as we follow the fates of a father and son, Jack and George Royal, in the Royal Navy. Through their eyes we experience dramatic action on the high seas as the dreadnoughts of the British and German Navies encounter each other, and in some of the fighting in the Dardanelles. The author is very good at describing the action, and the pace is fast and exciting. And tangled emotions are not the prerogative of the upper class. We see how the relationship between George Royal and his best friend Bill are affected by the arrival of the rather mysterious Carrie, a triangle that is only resolved near the end of the story, along with the revelation about Carrie's past. This is a very well written book, pacey, easy to read, and it carries the reader along. The research for this book shows through, and also is the more convincing because of the author's own naval service. As the characters are so believable the ending is a very convincing and satisfying one. Highly recommended."

"What a book should be."
"How pleasant to read a book which uses the English language in its proper context. A well researched and embellished book. With facts and fiction cleverly interwoven. It is an incredible book that I will remember for some time.
When's the sequel?"

"I finished the book about 10 mins ago and had to write. I LOVED it! Initially, I thought it was going to be way over my head, but your careful, well-written 'italics' kept me on course throughout. Having once been involved in researching and editing a book about TE Lawrence, my knowledge of Turkish antics and Middle Eastern goings on at the time is pretty good. However, the naval activities were a total mystery; I've learnt so much. Stunning research too. So, when's the next book going into print?

Many, many congratulations, William. I've recommended OBC to a couple of friends..."