Family portrait photographer John Woods is making waves in the literary world with the release of his debut novel which has more than a nod to Huddersfield.

John, 60, who has had a photographic studio in the Byram Arcade in Huddersfield since 1987, has published ‘Through Time and Conflict – The Max Chronicles.’

The book, which reached No 44 on the Kindle chart for Historical World War I Fiction, is set across three pivotal moments in 20th century history and tells the story of three generations of whippets named Max.

From the trenches of World War I to Berlin in the shadow of World War II, and finally the intrigue of the Cold War, Through Time and Conflict weaves together human drama, historical events, and the enduring bond between humans and animals.

John, of Longwood, said: “A significant portion of the book is set in an unnamed Northern town that eagle-eyed readers will recognise as Huddersfield, giving it a distinct local flavour.

“Late in the story the penny should drop as in 1922 the football team beats Preston North End in the FA Cup!

“Additionally, several of the characters are inspired by real people from Huddersfield’s rich history such as Arthur Gardiner, a conscientious objector from Huddersfield who later became mayor.”

 

 

John, who has always been interested in history and story-telling, added: “The idea for the book had been forming in my mind for a while.

“We often look back at the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age as an exciting time, full of glamour and progress.

“But we tend to forget that thousands of disabled soldiers, who through no fault of their own had lost everything, were a common sight around towns and cities. This juxtaposition between hope for the future and the lingering scars of war was something I wanted to explore.

“There are also a couple of local stories that sparked my imagination. When I was at school, I remember watching film footage of World War I trenches.

“Our teacher mused that these films might have been made in and around Holmfirth. His reasoning was that Bamforths, based in Holmfirth, had the equipment, and it would have been too dangerous and impractical to bring cameras to the front lines.

“This idea stuck with me, and while my book is fiction, I ran with that thought.”

The book has drawn comparisons to Michael Morpurgo’s ‘War Horse’, appealing to fans of heartfelt historical fiction that explores profound themes while remaining accessible and engaging.

John added: “The Max Chronicles is ultimately a story about connection, whether it’s between people, their pets or the shared experiences of a moment in history.

“I wanted to write something that would speak to people of all ages, and I think that’s part of why it’s finding an audience.”

The book is available as a paperback (£10.99) and hardback (£17.99) on Amazon HERE and also as an e-book (£1.99 on Kindle). John also has a few paperback copies at his studio at a reduced price, along with a free bookmark.

John is already working on his next book about the assassination of American president John F. Kennedy, which comes with a twist. It will be called ‘The Girl Who Killed Kennedy’…

 

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