Hi,
Imagine a miniature world set on a model railway where miniature people exist. Marks small friends have to be kept secret from other people. Crypto currencies are also similar in that they are a growing miniature system that the big guys (banks and .gov would surely like to just fade away). Young Mark and his small family of friends explore the real world together in this series of books set back in the '70's which examines many issues of the day from a different perspective. You will need to read between the lines to see what the author is saying. I see the author describing a miniature world containg a small vulnerable family who have found a trustworthy large friend in Mark. However, Mark chooses not to reveal the presence of the small family knowing they could face exploitation if discovered by the 'big' powerful people in the real world. Does this remind you of anything? Contempory issues such as trust, vulnerability, power, wealth, fun, freedom, social and political issues surface including the UK joining the EU and the Beechen cuts which refer to large sections of the UK rail network being torn up for dubious reasons.
The books are also fun with Mark and his small friends enjoying many adventures together.
My father wrote these books when I was a child and having decided to look at them again I was surprised to find the original old copies changing hands for good money on Amazon. My research found that many people have collected the series of 9 books and occasionally reread them which is always a good sign for a book. A good childrens book needs to be able to withstand multiple reads in a way that adult books perhaps don't so much. I see these as kidult books that have attracted continuous interest over many years despite being out of print for some time.
Available on Kindle are the first 3 books. Book 1 is here:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Model-Railway-Men-Book-ebook/dp/B071CDYBTN/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501928987&sr=1-2&keywords=the+model+railway+men
The Model-Railway Men.
This is an introduction to the concept of a miniature world/family and their value system. Mark gains their trust and finds himself becoming concerned for their welfare. They have fun and learn from each other.
Telford and the American Visitor.
Telford is the leader of the small family. He is somewhat cantankerous and perhaps represents the ordinary working guy. The American visitor is Pete, the son of a business man meeting with Marks father. Pete is a model railway buff. However, Mark does not feel comfortable sharing his secret family with Pete. The small family accidentally film themselves with Petes camera leading to lies and subterfuge to ensure the family are not discovered!
What do Pete and his father represent in the real world? Do they represent power, money and authority and therefore can not be trusted with knowledge of the small people? You tell me!
The Model-Railway Men Take Over.
Mark goes on holiday with his parents leaving the small family to have the run of the house. They explore the house and have some close shaves with a wasp and a vacumn cleaner but they work as a family team to survive and enjoy themselves without fear of discovery by the authority figures who might exploit their vulnerability. They also find Marks model steam traction engine which they fire up and drive around! Great fun for all and perhaps a view of the world from a more Libertarian perspective? What would it be like to live free of fiat?
