From Paradise to Hell - and Back

Simons life doesnt start brilliantly, with bombers flying low overthe family farm in Italy and his fathers belated homecomingafter the ill-fated Greek campaign. Then there is the roachriddenfl at in war-fl attened Bologna and a thankless job turning ourwidgets on a lathe. But a trip to England opens new horizons for Simon. He discovers thewonders of the English language and the marvels of young women. Alice is an Irish nurse working in London, where Simon is ahospital orderly. They meet and his life takes a big turn for the better. Marriage and children follow, and Simons natural Italian charm,plus Alices easy vivacity, creates success for him as an internationalsalesman, with business trips to Japan and China and a family holidayin America via the QE2. Then disaster strikes. Who can look at a deadly disease no, three lifethreateningconditions and remain calm? Simons journey is indeedone from paradise to hell. But his survival, in this fascinating biography,is a tribute to his inner strength and a reflective yet optimistic approachto the life he loves.