Jim Cooling

Born Dublin 1942. Great but brutal education at the hands of the Christian Brothers. 12 years service with the Royal Air Force. This included a period I'd much rather forget - 15 months in Aden (now part of Yemen) during the Radfan campaign (where I gained a general service campaign medal, mostly for time spent drinking beer in the NAAFI). Got my first degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, went to work as a flight control system designer, later moved into Naval systems, ending up at the dizzy heights of project management. Driven by ego (wanted a PhD), moved into academic research at Loughborough University. Intended to stay for three years but moved onto the lecturing staff, ended up spending 20 years there. Became highly disillusioned with the state of the UK higher education system, left academia and formed my own company, Lindentree Associates, in 1998 (sounds much more grandiose that it really is - it's just a one-man band).

Had my first book published in 1986 (ego at work again), followed by another six print books, last one published in 2003. Began publishing eBooks four years ago, now have four up on Amazon.

Have been married for many years and am extremely grateful that my wife (Pauline) still manages to put up with me. I consider myself to be one of life's blessed people (in the secular sense, that is!) because our family (daughter Nieve plus husband Gavin, son Niall plus wife Jo) and our grandchildren (Eilish and Finnian) have brought so very very much to our lives.