Vodka Cola Cowboy The Trucking Russia 1990 1995

The Vodka-Cola Cowboy describes life trucking in what is possibly the harshest environment, in the world - Russia. Between 1990 and 1995 British owner driver Mick Twemlow worked to transport goods to, from and within Russia and the wider Soviet Union. Living in Moscow with his future wife, Elena and their daughter, Margarita, who was born there, in 1992, Mick learned the language and fully immersed himself in Russian society, giving him an insider's view of this time of massive upheaval in the Soviet Union. The book vividly illustrates the conditions that British truck drivers encountered, such as the atrocious winter weather in a wild and unforgiving landscape, police harassment and the dangers that came with the dissolution of the USSR. Mick was the only British truck driver, in Moscow, throughout the whole of the anti-Gorbachev coup, of 1991 and so the book offers a unique perspective, of that historical event. The incidents described in the book range from the humorous, to the serious, to the potentially life threatening. This book will primarily be of interest to truck drivers, and those with an interest in road transport and the haulage industry, in general.Russia is still an unknown quantity, all around the globe, with regards to people's understanding of it and its people and so The Vodka-Cola Cowboy will also be of interest to anyone who has a fascination with the country, particularly during this tumultuous time in the region's socio-political history.

Brain Haulage was formed by Charles Edward Brain in 1950 and played a major role in the container revolution in the UK, completely changing the way goods were transported over the world. Peter Sumpter was a driver with Brain Haulage until it closed in 1992 and is an unofficial archivist of the brand, having taken hundreds of photographs and chronicling his adventures in a diary for over 20 years. Brain Haulage Ltd tells the history of Brain and the container revolution as well as the story of Charles Brain; from his early years working for the L.M.S. Railway at Camden Town, to his time in the R.A.F. during the second world war, to eventually starting his own haulage company. The rest of the story is from Peter's own diary and the many ex-drivers and Brains staff he worked with over the years. Including over 300 previously unpublished photographs Brain Haulage Ltd is a unique book, ideal for anyone interested in containers and their revolution, as well as road transport and haulage trade enthusiasts.

In the 1970s and 1980s Pro-Motor (Europe) Ltd were one of the most highly successful and respected transport companies in Great Britain.Their vehicles operated to every country in Europe as well as the Middle East, North Africa and Russia.They were experts in international haulage, exhibition transport, show tours and specialised vehicle transport.The Author, Mick Twemlow, a highly experienced international truck driver, drove for Pro-Motor between 1978 and 1983. His narrative, written on a country by country basis, describes the adventures and incidents that he and his fellow drivers experienced during those five years.At the time, Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain and operating in the Soviet dominated Eastern Europe brought its own challenges, which are described in detail. The corrupt nature of officials and the inherent dangers of truck driving in Turkey and Iraq are also fully explained.Although the work entailed facing dangerous situations it also had its lighter side.In summing up his five years driving for Pro-Motor Mick refers to the corporate logo of the companyand declares that it was truly "Trucking Magic".

Author and owner driver Mick Twemlow's new book, "The Champagne Truckers", provides a further authentic, personal insight into a wide variety of previously unpublished incidents that occurred while he was living and working as a truck driver in Russia, from 1990 until 1995.From witnessing appalling acts of violence and the consequences of numerous fatal traffic accidents on the streets of Moscow, to his dangerously close involvement in the Moldovan civil war. How having the cab of his truck ransacked by petty criminals on the streets of Leningrad seriously affected the cargo movement that he was carrying out. He describes incidents at border crossings where in one he was threatened with excessive violence while at another a corrupt Russian custom officer attempted to loot valuable goods from his truck's cargo.He recounts in detail many humorous situations that he encountered during his time in Russia such as incidents that occurred while obtaining diesel for his truck - or his daughter's behaviour in McDonalds in Moscow - or when delivering a satellite dish to the All Soviet Television centre. He also describes the bizarre methods used by Russian and Ukrainian police officers when making breathalyser tests.On a much more serious note he describes an incident where he was forced to run his truck off of the road during a torrential rainstorm at night, so as to avoid crushing to death two young boys who were riding an unlit motor-cycle. The potential consequences of which were catastrophic.During those five years living in the Soviet capitol with his Russian wife Elena and their daughter Margarita he learned to speak fluent Russian. Therefore, able to communicate with the Russian people, that he came into contact with throughout the country, he built up a starkly graphic picture of how they lived and the problems that the end of the Soviet Union brought. This meant that he fully understood how life for the average person was in Russia during and following the death throes of the Soviet system. Having lived in Moscow from 1990 until 1995 he was uniquely placed to witness at first hand the transformation brought about by the end of communist rule and the severe hardship that it brought for many Russians.Beside his full description of what life in his truck was like on the road in Russia and the Ukraine, he also explains the social and highly toxic ecological circumstances that not only the Russian people, but all of the western truck drivers delivering to Russia encountered within the country during the early 1990s.

This vivid account tells the story of the truckers who were driving from the UK to the Middle East in the early 1980s. The journey was rough, tough, exhausting, dirty, uncomfortable and dangerous. Journalist Franklyn Wood reports that 'in the course of the one trip we are following, seven Britons died in accidents.' Among the physical hazards were icy mountain hairpins, unmade roads and desert sandstorms. Human hazards included Kamikaze coach drivers, robbers, mind-numbingly slow border controls, rogue police and the temptations of the drivers' favourite watering holes. The route led from Europe, through Turkey, Iraq (during its war with Iran) and on to the wealth and culture shock of Saudi Arabia. The cargoes were often worth a million pounds. Delivering them and returning home for the next load - this was the Olympics of truck driving. "Cola Cowboys" was originally published in 1982 when it proved extremely popular. It has been out of print for many years and has been reprinted by popular demand.

Read International Haulage was set up by Barry Read and based in Bridlington. Read about Barry's early life, his business life and what he now likes to do in his retirement.

The Middle East has always been one of the most challenging destinations for lorry drivers. In the 1970s and 80s, many drivers may not have even heard of the destinations they were sent to before heading out eastwards. Along the way they endured extreme weather conditions, bureaucratic nightmares, and the physical trials of keeping themselves and their trucks operational over many thousands of miles of poorly maintained and dangerous roads. Their adventures have become legendary within the trucking world.In this book Dave Bowers tells with humour and insight the amazing stories of people driving to Middle East destinations, battling against all the odds to deliver their loads. The inspiration comes from his own experience through those routes and in particular on one adventurous journey homewards from Tehran in 1975, when he happened to be stranded in Iran, with no cash to speak of and spending many nights sleeping in abandoned trailers along the way. Dave travelled homewards after he was given lifts in trucks returning to Europe. These were driven by drivers who had many tales to tell, and this book was motivated by the need to keep these fascinating stories alive.Illustrated with photographs of the drivers and vehicles taken at the time, Beyond the Bosphorus records what it was like for ordinary HGV drivers to get involved in something so dramatically different from their everyday working lives in the UK. It will be of interest to lorry drivers, general vehicle enthusiasts and also those with a historical and social interest in the Middle East alike.