Derek Flower Farewell Alexandria

A leading mid-Eastern industrialist pledges his vast resources to a war on terrorism, yet one of his heirs joins the terrorist cause. Today’s headline? It could be. But it is also a twist in the plot in this epic novel.

As the sun rises over the Egyptian coastline, one of the world’s largest private yachts steams towards Alexandria while on its upper deck Julius Caspar, billionaire oil tycoon and philanthropist, gazes at the approaching waterfront. As he does so he recalls his youth as an impecunious bank clerk in what was then the most glittering city of the Mediterranean, and his ever haunting love for an eighteen-year-old heiress before his subsequent escalade to riches and fame.

In a story spanning eighty years of a family that changed world history, flashbacks, fast-forwards and multiple plots intersect each other while innocent romance, steamy sex, noble sentiments, treachery and whodunit-style mystery keep the reader turning the pages.

Set against a changing backdrop of pre-war Egypt, of Paris, London and New York in the sixties and seventies, terrorism in the Middle East and famine in Ethiopia, all the aspects of human strengths and frailties are brought to life in this three generation saga where a dramatic climax re-dimensions a man’s destiny.

"The Alexandrian" a film play for a major feature film based on the novel is available.

	Bookworm St. George Utah *(amazon.com)*	POWER, WEALTH, SEX...WHAT MORE COULD A GUY ASK FOR, Farewell Alexandria, by Derek Flower, is a treat in more ways than one. Steeped in the juices of international history, flavored with the unadulterated ambition of its main characters, it is brought to a rolling boil as it chronicles the story of three generations of one family. Whisking the reader on a worldwide tour from Egypt to Ethiopia, from London and Paris to New York City the multiple plots in this narrative are filled with everything from boardroom treachery to the innocence of first love to downright torrid sex. (Visualize the Onassis family joined through marriage with the J.R. Ewing clan and you'll get the picture). Overall I must say that once I got 40 pages into this book, Derek Flower had me literally hooked and I couldn't wait to turn each page to discover what cruel twists of fate destiny had in store for each of his characters. This is a book crying out for Hollywood to bring it to the silver screen, but while you wait for the film version, give yourself a treat and buy the book.
	Kelly Moran Book Pleasures *(amazon.com)*	After reading Farewell Alexandria, by Derek Flower, I am exceedingly impressed. Although a work of fiction, many of the background accounts in the story are factual, accounting international history. A family saga, of sorts, this memoir follows a family through three generations over a span of eighty years- beginning with the birth of Antor Caspardian, to his son, George, his daughter, MaryAnn, and grandchildren, Nelson, Jemima, and A.J. It relates the elation of love, the devastation of loss, and the rise from poverty to the power wealth can bring; all amidst the economical and political history he lays out. I cannot possibly conjure enough positive adjectives to describe this book. It was so eloquently written that I found myself completely immersed in the story-line from page one. The characters were not only believable and relatable, but you felt as if you’ve known them your entire life. The pure ambition of the characters, along with the adventure and intrigue written, were a true testament to the human spirit and the force that drives us all. Beginning and ending the book in the same place, with the same character, only added leverage. It was extremely difficult to put down. I, at no time, lost interest, nor did I find any dead spots. It was not predictable in any form. The mixture of emotions that floods your system, from rage, fury, and wrath, to delight, amusement, and euphoria, engage you in this assault from the first chapter. Readers can take with them a history and cultural lesson they will not soon forget. This was aheartbreaking, bittersweet, and poignant tale; one that will stay with me for a long time. I need not say that I hope to find more titles from him in the future, as I know there will be. The above review was contributed by: Kelly Moran: Kelly is an author of three published books and recipient of an Editors Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement in 1993 as well as inducted into the Who's Who book of American's 2006 edition.
	Erika Borsos (TOP 500 Reviewer) Gulf Coast of Fl, USA *(amazon.com)*	Playing One’s Role on the World Stage. Antor Caspardian is a famous man, a self-made businessman who has rubbed elbows with world leaders. He is someone whose advice is sought by heads of countries where political conflicts and wars have arisen. He lived a full and complicated life and in this book "Farewell Alexandria" we learn the details of his multifaceted personality and the many events which culminated in his status as a world businessman, a man who stepped upon the world stage and became a major player. Yet, hidden within his life are secrets which only he and those very close to him know. On a personal level, perhaps all the fame and fortune he acquired can not cover up the pain and losses he experienced to achieve success and how to cultivate the rich and famous. The story and plot are epic in scope and contain deep caverns that are examined and in which unexpected events take on new meaning as the author so cleverly ties together the personal love life of Antor Caspardian with the world business events that seem to rule his life. This is a complicated book which includes a vast amount of recent history as its backdrop and which reveals a twisted tale of success on a world scale with lessons that reveal the high price paid for achieving power and political success. This is a most engaging novel with excellent plots and twists which will keep the reader fully engaged from start to finish. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]
	Neeman Sobhan FAO Magazine, Italian Vignettes	Farewell Alexandria is the beautifully written first novel of accomplished English writer Derek Flower. A master story teller, he imbues his novel, which has the sweep of epic family sagas, with his deep knowledge not only of the Middle Eeastern World but also the subtleties of human psychology. I could not put it down as I followed the life of the billionaire protagonist through the changing and richly variegated panorama of places, times, issues and emotions.
	BBC2 Radio2 Diane Louise Jordan	A novel of epic proportions based on Derek Flower's intimate knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs ... a gorgeous read.
	Author and film producer Geoffrey Wansell The man and the Myth Sir James Goldsmith	In FAREWELL ALEXANDRIA ... Derek Flower has created a story of drama and intrigue that stands comparison with the great sagas of the past, the Forsyth's, the Ewing's, even the Onasis's ... an unforgettable world of ambition, lust, revenge ... throughout which the humane spirit of Julius Caspar still flows indomitably on. The three generations of the Caspar family weave a web which not only captures the imagination, but seems only too real, every bit as real as the novels of James Clavell, Danielle Steele or Barbara Taylor Bradford - a world which demands to be brought to life on the screen.
	The Good Book Guide UK	Three generations, spanning 80 years and rise from genteel poverty to immense wealth, dominate this story which, beginning in Alexandria with the birth of Antor Caspardian, son of an Armenian carpenter - ends with his farewell to Egypt on his 80th birthday. Between these events is packed a huge amount of recent international (especially financial) history, family feuds, secrets and disappointments. A colourful, impressive tour de force.
	Ann Blainey author of *Fanny and Adelaide* *The lives of the remarkable Kemble Sisters*	I read Farewell Alexandria at almost one sitting ... Mr. Flower is a born story-teller.
	Dominique Eddé author and journalist	FAREWELL ALEXANDRIA is a vast and gripping family saga of adventure, intrigue, sentiment and ambition which Derek Flower recounts with remarkable psychological acumen, reflecting in the vicissitudes and relationships of a handful of Alexandrian expatriates the sometimes beautiful yet often harsh realities of the world around us.
	Monacle Russell Chamberlin	A blockbuster of a novel ... an explosive cliff-hanger whose denouement it would be unfair to reveal ...
	Townswoman UK Winterissue	Drawing on his own childhood experience of Egypt, Derek Flower weaves a captivating family saga of power, intrigue and passion that spans three generation, set against the glittering backdrops of pre-war Egypt, Paris, London and New York.