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The Java Gold: Book 1 the Odyssey
Out of Print
The story begins during the Second World War, as South East Asia is in flames. At the last possible moment, when the Japanese are already launching the final assault on Java, a planeload of pure gold is hurriedly sent off to safety in Australia. A malignant twist of fate intervenes and the gold is lost. For years, the hidden treasure casts its spell on the surviving crew members. Misfortune, violence and death follow in their wake when they try to retrieve the gold after the end of the war.
Their bloody treasure hunt plays out in the Dutch East Indies, a restive place despite the war’s end. As the story continues, their expedition takes them across continents, spanning India, Australia, Europe and North Africa. Their exciting exploits and sizzling romances are juxtaposed with historical developments of places scarred by war and colonialism, the racism of corrupt societies and the emerging threat of terrorism. The tale is replete with danger and treachery as the pursuit of “The Java Gold” shows the treasure hunters that the price of greed is human life.
This marks the beginning of a series of books following the treasure-hunters. Kingsley blends kinetic action with meticulously researched factual details, infusing the work with his own passion for aviation and the Second World War, giving readers an exhilarating literary experience that’s part historical fact, part pulp fiction and all adventure.
The story begins during the Second World War, as South East Asia is in flames. At the last possible moment, when the Japanese are already launching the final assault on Java, a planeload of pure gold is hurriedly sent off to safety in Australia. A malignant twist of fate intervenes and the gold is lost. For years, the hidden treasure casts its spell on the surviving crew members. Misfortune, violence and death follow in their wake when they try to retrieve the gold after the end of the war.
Their bloody treasure hunt plays out in the Dutch East Indies, a restive place despite the war’s end. As the story continues, their expedition takes them across continents, spanning India, Australia, Europe and North Africa. Their exciting exploits and sizzling romances are juxtaposed with historical developments of places scarred by war and colonialism, the racism of corrupt societies and the emerging threat of terrorism. The tale is replete with danger and treachery as the pursuit of “The Java Gold” shows the treasure hunters that the price of greed is human life.
This marks the beginning of a series of books following the treasure-hunters. Kingsley blends kinetic action with meticulously researched factual details, infusing the work with his own passion for aviation and the Second World War, giving readers an exhilarating literary experience that’s part historical fact, part pulp fiction and all adventure.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2014
14 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Kingsley
4 books1 followerRobert A. Kingsley is a Dutch- Canadian author who currently works and lives in Europe.
He works out of the magical city of Amsterdam as an independent ICT consultant. Robert has a son and a daughter, both talented professionals in their own right, and has recently become grandfather to a wonderful grandson.
Combining his life-long interest in history (especially World War 2 aviation ) with local, on-site knowledge he has gathered during his travels all over the world as an international ICT consultant, Robert has now several "historical fiction" novels, of which "Pearl Harbor and more..." is the most recent.
This collection of short stories is a truly intercontinental cooperation between eight authors of which Robert is one. The stories take the reader not only to Pearl Harbor on that fateful December 7, 1941, but also to Singapore, places in the US, occupied France, Berlin...
Robert major work however is "The Java Gold" multi-part historical fiction story which takes the reader all over the world and through half a century of recent history.
The first two volumes of "The Java Gold" ( "The Odyssey" and "Winds of Fortune") are largely set in the former Dutch East Indies. Not many books have been written about the turbulent post war years in that area and especially Indonesia. The Japanese invasion, the post-war struggle for independence and the general unrest in South East Asia serve as a fascinating background to the story.
The idea for the book was born during a "steak and beer" dinner in a California micro-brewery. Robert had just come across a number of highly intriguing facts and events that had happened in Indonesia during and after the 2nd world war.
'I could write a thriller around them' he said and one of his closest friends dared him to do so.
And he did...
He works out of the magical city of Amsterdam as an independent ICT consultant. Robert has a son and a daughter, both talented professionals in their own right, and has recently become grandfather to a wonderful grandson.
Combining his life-long interest in history (especially World War 2 aviation ) with local, on-site knowledge he has gathered during his travels all over the world as an international ICT consultant, Robert has now several "historical fiction" novels, of which "Pearl Harbor and more..." is the most recent.
This collection of short stories is a truly intercontinental cooperation between eight authors of which Robert is one. The stories take the reader not only to Pearl Harbor on that fateful December 7, 1941, but also to Singapore, places in the US, occupied France, Berlin...
Robert major work however is "The Java Gold" multi-part historical fiction story which takes the reader all over the world and through half a century of recent history.
The first two volumes of "The Java Gold" ( "The Odyssey" and "Winds of Fortune") are largely set in the former Dutch East Indies. Not many books have been written about the turbulent post war years in that area and especially Indonesia. The Japanese invasion, the post-war struggle for independence and the general unrest in South East Asia serve as a fascinating background to the story.
The idea for the book was born during a "steak and beer" dinner in a California micro-brewery. Robert had just come across a number of highly intriguing facts and events that had happened in Indonesia during and after the 2nd world war.
'I could write a thriller around them' he said and one of his closest friends dared him to do so.
And he did...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 3, 2015
“The Java Gold: Book 1: The Odyssey” by Robert Kingsley was a real treat. As keen reader of history books with a lesser known setting or perspective, this ticked a lot of boxes, and it really did it well. With well researched details and excellently drawn settings the story takes us to the Dutch Colony in South East Asia during World War II. Military equipment, ordered by the Dutch from American companies, has been confiscated by the US Army and a plane load of gold is now stuck on Java where a Japanese invasion is imminent. The book depicts the mission to save the gold and its subsequent loss.
Interesting characters, a fascinating historical background, excellent suspense and a really good plot made this a very memorable and rewarding reading experience. I wish there had been a map in the book and I didn’t like that the story is ‘discovered’ via a diary in the 1990s, yet is not written in diary style. These minor issues aside I’m impatiently waiting for “The Java Gold” series to continue.
I reviewed this book for the Historical Novel Society, Indie Section.
Interesting characters, a fascinating historical background, excellent suspense and a really good plot made this a very memorable and rewarding reading experience. I wish there had been a map in the book and I didn’t like that the story is ‘discovered’ via a diary in the 1990s, yet is not written in diary style. These minor issues aside I’m impatiently waiting for “The Java Gold” series to continue.
I reviewed this book for the Historical Novel Society, Indie Section.
August 10, 2015
I don't read books often because so many that I start to read go on and on filling up pages but not contributing much to the story. But this one did keep me wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next. I also enjoyed the inclusion of factual information about people and places. I am looking forward to Book 2.
October 21, 2014
Very good!
April 9, 2016
The Java Gold 25
Robert Kingsley
Action, Historical Fiction
244 Pages
Rating Four stars out of five Posted 4/9/2016
I enjoyed this war story set in and past WWII in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas.
The main character is Peter Van der Voort. He is supported by a cast of hundreds, both protagonist and antagonist.
The main story is fiction, but it is wrapped within accurate historical data of the war effort.
The story opens with the precursors to the defeat of the Dutch land and naval forces by the superior and ruthless Japanese wave that rolled over the entire region.
Peter is introduced when he and his flight crew are hand picked to sneak a precious cargo out of Java ahead of the invading Japanese army. But through a series of mishaps, bad planning and unexpected causalities his mission goes awry, and he ditches the valuable cargo. From that point on there is one harrowing adventure after another.
Peter is separated from his lover, Lizzie, as they experience danger, discrimination and betrayal. But both endure and manage to continue well past the end of the war.
Character development is good especially considering the large cast of characters. The plot is complex and the author's attention to details and research are exemplary.
There are a few minor editing errors, mostly missing words, and a few instances where past and present tense are mingled in the same sentences. Overall, the editing is good but not flawless.
I highly recommend this story for action/adventure and WWII fans.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Robert Kingsley
Action, Historical Fiction
244 Pages
Rating Four stars out of five Posted 4/9/2016
I enjoyed this war story set in and past WWII in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas.
The main character is Peter Van der Voort. He is supported by a cast of hundreds, both protagonist and antagonist.
The main story is fiction, but it is wrapped within accurate historical data of the war effort.
The story opens with the precursors to the defeat of the Dutch land and naval forces by the superior and ruthless Japanese wave that rolled over the entire region.
Peter is introduced when he and his flight crew are hand picked to sneak a precious cargo out of Java ahead of the invading Japanese army. But through a series of mishaps, bad planning and unexpected causalities his mission goes awry, and he ditches the valuable cargo. From that point on there is one harrowing adventure after another.
Peter is separated from his lover, Lizzie, as they experience danger, discrimination and betrayal. But both endure and manage to continue well past the end of the war.
Character development is good especially considering the large cast of characters. The plot is complex and the author's attention to details and research are exemplary.
There are a few minor editing errors, mostly missing words, and a few instances where past and present tense are mingled in the same sentences. Overall, the editing is good but not flawless.
I highly recommend this story for action/adventure and WWII fans.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews