How to order
By Post: Mail to Lynn Davidson, The Memoir Club, 34 Lynwood Way, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE34 8DB cheque payable to Lynn Davidson.
By Email memoirclub@msn.com OR MOBILE 0755 2086888
I REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO COMPLETE YOUR ORDER
Author's name or book and the number of copies required.
Your details NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
Bank transfer details Lynn Davidson Barclays 20 83 69 83948145
SWIFT BUKBGB22 IBAN GB49BUKB20836983948145
please insert O'Dell as the bank reference
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Conquest of the 7th continent |
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| The
family: Rowan, Oscar, Kylie and Nicholas at back with Robyn, Ava and myself seated |
REVIEW:
Making a Difference is highly recommended reading. S M Baint
Few books about engineering engage the general reader. Engineering work is considered too specialized for the general reading public and engineers are given little credit for the work they do. Or as Martin O’Dell writes, while medics deservedly get praise, ‘engineers often go unsung’. Making a Difference is the exception.
Meet the engineer who sets out to rectify the omission, an attitude that reflects his approach to some of the most daunting engineering projects around the world. If there is a problem: solve it. If something is lacking: fill the gap. If the dam wall leaks fix it.
Martin O’Dell, a civil engineer, has written a compelling adventure story about his work in twenty-one countries, constructing, amongst other things, mega-sized dams, sewerage plants, and village water supplies. The word ‘adventure’ is used advisedly. One of the most attractive features of the book is the way it generates the author’s enthusiasm and optimism about the countries he visits, even in the face of physical danger and bureaucratic procrastination. Life is an adventure full of challenges and opportunities and he meets life full on. The result, as the title promises, is that he has made a difference to the lives of millions of people.
It is a transformative book. After reading, you can never again take for granted having a shower, flushing the toilet, or turning on the tap for a drink of water. What is a ‘norm’ for us, however, has been denied to so many communities around the world. Martin O’Dell and his teams set out to make these basic amenities possible, bringing sanitation and water to underprivileged peoples, changing their lives forever.
While this book deals with the technological problems involved in building dams and sewerage systems (quite a specialized interest) it is above all a book about people. Throughout his career, Martin consulted with local engineers and local communities as an essential part of his projects. He was always conscious that no job could be satisfactorily completed without the aid and co-operation of local expertise.
He listened to what people wanted and when engaging with a new project readily accepted advice from local experts. People were central to success, whether it was co-operating with Zulu Chieftains in Southern Africa, or members of the Snowdonia Board in North Wales, or the Palestinian Surveyor (Abdul Latif) in Saudi Arabia.
Martin was appointed the Deputy Project Manager for building the Mudhiq Dam in Saudi Arabia and he gives a telling insight into the complexities of such an undertaking: ‘…roads and tunnels; bridges; huge concrete pours; large-scale mechanical works; major temporary works; building works; survey and monitoring; and the need for innovative design.’
One of the more distressing aspects of his work was learning to accept the customs of societies very different to his own. For example, the occasions when he was faced with what to him were draconian Sharia laws that could not be appealed. ‘The right hand was amputated for theft. For murder, rape, or drug offences the sentence was beheading.’ He reports the situation with a typical dry, ironic humour: ‘“Chop square” saw action on many Fridays.’
Dr Martin O’Dell was no armchair academic. During his late adolescence, with few academic qualifications to his name, he was at a loss as to what career path to follow. A chance encounter with his school’s Deputy Head turned out to be fortuitous: ‘You are good at Latin, Larry (his nickname), so why not consider civil engineering?’ Quirky advice and he never did understand the link between Latin and engineering. But the world can be grateful that he took up the challenge.
If you are technically minded, about to embark on a career, and fancy seeing the world, then Dr Martin ‘Larry’ O’Dell takes you through an outgoing, challenging life as a civil engineer lived in many countries around the world where clean water supply or sewage management have required civil engineering expertise.
BOOK
From an inauspicious start of not knowing what career to embark on, wading through multiple options and initially receiving uninviting job offers, Martin (Larry) carved out a remarkable life as a civil engineer in the water sector. He worked in many parts of the world, undertaking challenging projects, and meeting engaging people along the way.
Martin’s memoir weaves the technical aspects of his work with wonderful experiences of living and travelling through countries with diverse political and social cultures.
Martin grew up in St Albans, Hertfordshire in the period after the war when children could be carefree. They were expected to go out and play in the street or the woods from morning until dusk and come home for tea!
There were few restrictions, no one worried, and we were OK. No bike helmets, no concern about hitch-hiking, no seat belts and no drink driving laws! How did we survive?
After six years at university in the revolutionary years of 63 to 69 (Beatles to Woodstock), Martin headed for the big wide world, starting in Africa, and rarely returning to the UK. He met his wife Robyn in Australia and together they explored the world. Two children along the way made travel a challenge on occasion.
Martin and Robyn live in Melbourne close to their two sons and two grandchildren.
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| Martin and his wife Robyn on an artic adventure |
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| BOOK LAUNCH, AUSTRALIA, APRIL 2024 |
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