Brilliantly written story, illustrating how Capt Tom Moore's background helped him become an icon during 2020's Covid pandemic . ( )

The autobiography of Captain Tom who won people's hearts raising £millions in the early stages of the first lockdown. But he was 99 when he started and this is the really interesting story of his life. From growing up in Yorkshire to India and Burma in World War 2 through various jobs and two marriages and his family. ( )

Captain Tom Moore, the Yorkshire centenarian who started a fundraising campaign for the NHS at the height of lockdown and turned into an overnight celebrity, here celebrates his personal, professional and military life. The Captain and his ghostwriter, Wendy Holden, have done a wonderful job of collecting memories and making 100 years of history flow into a readable autobiography which still maintains the distinctive no-nonsense Yorkshire voice of the subject.

Back in April, I was very proud to learn that Captain Tom was originally from my neck of the woods - claiming him as a local lad was a bonus! He really is truly inspiring, raising over £35 million for NHS charities after breaking his hip, capturing the hearts and the imagination of the UK during lockdown, earning a knighthood from the Queen and taking part in a number one rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'! It's his determination and positivity - 'Tomorrow will be a good day' is his motto - that really shines through, however.

Captain Tom talks about his childhood in Keighley, with his deaf father and a favourite uncle who took his own life, a lifelong love of motorcycles, his army career during the Second World War, a chequered civilian career from women's magazine salesman to director of a building firm, two marriages to troubled women - and his love for his daughters and grandchildren. I found his personal life fascinating, especially the women in his life, and struggled through the army years - tanks and fighting aren't my thing - but there is no question that Tom has lived and loved every minute of his 100 years!

A true gentleman and a Yorkshire lad at heart, Captain Tom has been the highlight of 2020! ( )