Derek Taylor

Samuel Montagu started life as a poor boy from a Jewish immigrant family in Liverpool. He ended life as Lord Swaythling in the City of London and left an estate worth around 100million in today's money. He achieved his success by setting up his own company as a City broker, specialising in the world silver market. The contribution to the success of the City of London in Victorian times had a great deal to do with Britain's successful balance of trade, and Montagu's company was recognized as a vital factor in this achievement. Another of Montagu's interests in life was helping the mass of immigrants from Eastern Europe who had fled the pogroms in the Russian Empire. He never forgot that he came from a poor emigrant family himself and he always found the time to help those less fortunate than himself. He died over 100 years ago and is only remembered for founding the Federation of Synagogues and buying the land for the Federation cemetery in Edmonton. An extremely pious Jew, he practiced the dictates of the religion punctiliously. The leaders of Victorian Jewry were Sir Moses Montefiore, Lord Rothschild and Samuel Montagu; Montagu deserves to be equally remembered for all the good he did.

Samuel Montagu started life as a poor boy from a Jewish immigrant family in Liverpool. He ended life as Lord Swaythling in the City of London and left an estate worth around 100 million in today's money. He achieved his success by setting up his own company as a City broker, specialising in the world silver market. The contribution to the success of the City of London in Victorian times had a great deal to do with Britain's successful balance of trade, and Montagu's company was recognized as a vital factor in this achievement. Another of Montagu's interests in life was helping the mass of immigrants from Eastern Europe who had fled the pogroms in the Russian Empire. He never forgot that he came from a poor emigrant family himself and he always found the time to help those less fortunate than himself. He died over 100 years ago and is only remembered for founding the Federation of Synagogues and buying the land for the Federation cemetery in Edmonton. An extremely pious Jew, he practiced the dictates of the religion punctiliously. The leaders of Victorian Jewry were Sir Moses Montefiore, Lord Rothschild and Samuel Montagu; Montagu deserves to be equally remembered for all the good he did.

The mid-20th century saw the birth of a new kind of big band/orchestral music in what came to be called 'Easy Listening'. Like its contemporary, rock 'n' roll, it took the world by storm, introducing romance and chic into a world brutalised by war. While a new generation went wild and sexy, their elders sought to live in a world of civilised values. Easy listening music gave them this in spades. In The Golden Era of Easy Listening Music Derek Taylor comprehensively takes the Easy Listening story from an unlikely beginning with an American army general through to its sub summation into 21st century mainstream popular music. Described and put into historical context are the giants and innovators of easy-listening music from Paul Weston, Mantovani, Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, Serge Gainsbourg, Bert Kaempfert, Acker Bilk, Herb Albert, Sergio Mendes to James Last and a host of others. These easy listening giants came from all around the world, bringing to the music throughout the decades a revitalising mix of styles and forms that is being rediscovered and enjoyed as much by the streaming generation of today as it was by the generation of 78 RPM shellac and high fidelity vinyl of its golden era.

‘A clear, unsentimental observer of a vanished England, Celia Fiennes deserves to be far better known and is the worthy subject of this timely reassessment.’ - Times Literary SupplementIn 1697, a 34-year-old woman mounted her horse and set off on a 3,000-mile journey which over two summers would take her to every county in England. Her name was Celia Fiennes. It was a time when women didn’t do such things. It could be gruelling, unhealthy and dangerous. As she discovered, most roads were unsigned, marshy tracks, lodgings could be filthy and vermin-ridden, and highwaymen lay in wait for the unwary.Luckily for us, Celia Fiennes kept a detailed diary about the places she saw and the people she met. She reports on the brutal justice system and political shenanigans of the time, and is fascinated by industry and commerce – workshops, shipping and especially coal-pits and tin mines. What she tells us is significant as the Industrial Revolution would soon change England forever.Yet this remarkable woman and her story have, until now, been largely neglected.In England From a Side-Saddle, historian and journalist Derek J. Taylor seeks to put that right. As we follow the route Celia Fiennes took, we see through her eyes an England of 320 years ago, and learn of the courage, determination and curiosity of one woman who was centuries ahead of her time.

A Zionist before Theodor Herzl, the only Ashkenazi Haham the Sephardim ever appointed, the only senior British Jewish spiritual figure to be dismissed, a world expert on the Samaritans, a collector of 2,000 manuscripts, a scholar with a 45,000 book library at its peak, Moses Gaster was not a man to ignored in his lifetime. When he died he left an archive of 180,000 items, many of which are still being studied in universities in Britain and America. Professor Michael Berkowitz, the Professor of Modern Jewish History at University College London has said that 'The Haham Moses Gaster (1856-1939) is one of the most significant figures in modern Jewish history but has not yet attracted a full-blown biographical study in either English or Hebrew.' Cecil Roth, the foremost Anglo-Jewish historian of his time, said 'If Moses Gaster fell short of unquestioned primacy in any of his multitudinous activities, it was for the very reason that his enormous ability was diverted through so many channels and brought him such high distinction in all.' Moses Gaster was, however, an unusual British spiritual leader. His heart remained in his native Romania, where he made a major contribution to the literary history of what was then a new country. He was fascinated by the ancient world. Folk-lore, spells, Biblical archaeology, the relations between empires long forgotten. Moses Gaster held many offices in bodies like the Folk-Lore Society, which saw in a Jewish rabbi a man equally informed about their outlook and interests.

For 800 years, Magna Carta has inspired those prepared to face torture, imprisonment and even death in the fight against tyranny. But the belief that the Great Charter gave us such freedoms as democracy, trial by jury and equality beneath the law has its roots in myth. Back in 1215, when King John was forced to issue Magna Carta, it was regarded as little more than a stalling tactic in the bloody conflict between monarch and barons.In Magna Carta: The Places that Shaped the Great Charter, Derek J. Taylor embarks on a mission to uncover the ‘golden thread of truth’ that runs through the story of the Great Charter, travelling to the palaces and villages of medieval England, through the castles and towns of France and the Middle East, to the United States of the twenty-first century. The real history of Magna Carta is far more engaging, exciting and surprising than any simple fairy tale of good defeating evil.

Nathan Marcus Adler remains the longest serving Chief Rabbi in the history of Anglo-Jewry. Yet today he is a shadowy figure. During his ministry the forerunners of Jewish Care were created, the synagogue service was regularized, Jews' College opened its doors, and the United Synagogue came into existence. At the same time, where countries like America and Germany were moving over to Progressive Judaism, the British community remained resolutely Orthodox. All this was down to Adler. These were not easy achievements for him. For 45 years, most of the time in partnership with Sir Moses Montefiore as the lay leader, Adler successfully resisted every attempt to undermine his authority. He was the ultimate diplomat, negotiator and leader of his flock. Furthermore, a great deal of what he accomplished remains at the core of the community today. This book uncovers much new material. It examines for the first time the first half of his life in a prejudiced Germany, the attempt to assassinate him, the truth about the Singer Prayer Book, the politics in his election and why, as a newcomer to Britain, he always had such powerful support. Author Taylor also delves into the methods he chose to coax and cajole the lay leaders into his way of thinking, and how he achieved his goals. Nathan Marcus Adler is and has always been underestimated, a deliberate ploy on his part. It is now time he is recognized as a highly successful Chief Rabbi in a turbulent period of the community's history.

When Chief Rabbi Adler died in 1911, his friend, Sir Adolph Tuck wrote: ‘The fame of Dr. Hermann Adler will be handed down to posterity and the great place occupied by him, widely recognised as it is already in our generation, will loom still more vividly in the future, when a broader view of his achievements will be possible.’ Even King George V sent his condolences. Yet today Hermann Adler, called ‘My Chief Rabbi’ by Edward VII, is largely forgotten. The man who kept the community Orthodox, who helped the country absorb some 300,000 Jewish refugees from pogroms in Europe, who gave over 2,000 sermons and addresses in a 30-year career as Delegate Chief Rabbi and Chief Rabbi, is hardly known. In this new biography Derek Taylor has researched his life and proved that, far from the view of Adler as subject to the community’s lay leaders, he was, in fact, a Rothschild on his mother’s side and very much his own man. With a foreword by Lord Jacob Rothschild, a fascinating life unfolds of a man who fought his many opponents to a standstill, and tackled successfully the greatest challenges the community had faced since the Restoration.

A collection of poems by the poets who attended the inaugural happening of the NACTON POETS in Nacton Village Hall, Nacton, Suffolk, England, UK September 2018

Jews make up 0.2% of the worlds' population, yet they have won over 20% of the Nobel prizes--204 in total out of around 900 awarded since the first Laureates at the start of the 20th century. When one considers that Jews weren't even admitted to University in Britain until the 1820s, and were on a quota at some American Ivy League colleges until after the Second World War, their successes are truly remarkable. Nobel prizes can be worth up to a million pounds, and it is not surprising there are hundreds of nominations every year in each category. What is the reason for this disparity? Derek Taylor provides biographical chapters on all the prize-winning men and women, and an additional one on the founder, Alfred Nobel himself. These chapters include their backgrounds and the work for which they received the awards. In addition to this Taylor provides the historical background to the development of scientific research. If physics has previously been a closed book to you, if your knowledge of chemistry is somewhat limited, if you've wondered how solutions were discovered for so many previously incurable diseases, you will find the answers clearly and simply explained. The book also covers the Literary, Economics and Peace awards in similar detail. It all makes a fascinating story of how to overcome prejudice, and how to take advantage of ancestry and tradition. With a Foreword by Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

What makes the English so . . . English?The English are often confused about who they are. They say ‘British’ when they mean ‘English’, and ‘English’ when they should say ‘British.’ And when England, more than the rest of the UK, voted to leave the EU, polls showed national identity was a big concern. So it’s time the English sorted out in their minds what it means to be English. A nation’s character is moulded by its history.In Who Do the English Think They Are? historian and journalist Derek J. Taylor travels the length and breadth of the country to find answers. He discovers that the first English came from Germany, and then in the later Middle Ages almost became French. He tracks down the origins of English respect for the rule of law, tolerance and a love of political stability. And, when he reaches Victorian times, he investigates the arrogance and snobbishness that have sometimes blighted English behaviour. Finally, Taylor looks ahead and asks: faced with uncharted waters post-Brexit, what is it in their national character that will help guide the English people now?

‘Fake news.’ ‘Dishonest press.’ ‘Racist.’ ‘Mentally unstable.’ The insults President Donald Trump and the American news media hurl at each other are nothing new. In Tudor England, printed papers branded the monarch a ‘horrible monster’ and were in turn accused of publishing ‘false fables’. Ever since the invention of the printing press, those in power have seen mass communication as a dangerous threat that usurps their ability to tell people what to think and is capable of stirring up discontent – or even rebellion. In Fayke Newes, historian and international journalist Derek Taylor tracks this long and bloody fight between the press and those in power, through the lives of the men and women who got caught up in the battle. On a journey through the centuries, we criss-cross the Atlantic between Britain and America and discover that neither governments nor journalists have always told the truth.

'The sharpest memoir written by one of the Beatles' inner circle.' ObserverDerek Taylor's iconic memoir is a rare opportunity to be immersed in one of the most whirlwind music sensations in history: Beatlemania. As Time Goes By tells the remarkable story of Taylor's trajectory from humble provincial journalist to loved confidant right at the centre of the Beatles' magic circle. In charming, conversational prose, Taylor shares anecdotes and reminiscences so vivid and immediate that you find yourself plunged into the beating heart of 1960s counterculture. Whether watching the debut performance of 'Hey Jude' in a country pub or hearing first-hand gossip about a star-studded cast of characters, Taylor's unique narrative voice forges an autobiography like no other. Reissued here in a brand new edition with a foreword by celebrated writer Jon Savage, this long-admired memoir is a cult classic of the genre awaiting a new readership.

"Derek Taylor has written a comprehensive and highly readable biography which will restore Adler to his true place in history."--Elkan D Levy ***Nathan Marcus Adler remains the longest serving Chief Rabbi in the history of Anglo-Jewry. Yet today he is a shadowy figure. During his ministry the forerunners of Jewish Care were created, the synagogue service was regularized, Jews' College opened its doors, and the United Synagogue came into existence. At the same time, where countries like America and Germany were moving over to Progressive Judaism, the British community remained resolutely Orthodox. All this was down to Adler. These were not easy achievements for him. For 45 years, most of the time in partnership with Sir Moses Montefiore as the lay leader, Adler successfully resisted every attempt to undermine his authority. He was the ultimate diplomat, negotiator and leader of his flock. Furthermore, a great deal of what he accomplished remains at the core of the community today. This book uncovers much new material. It examines for the first time the first half of his life in a prejudiced Germany, the attempt to assassinate him, the truth about the Singer Prayer Book, the politics in his election and why, as a newcomer to Britain, he always had such powerful support. Author Taylor also delves into the methods he chose to coax and cajole the lay leaders into his way of thinking, and how he achieved his goals. Nathan Marcus Adler is and has always been underestimated, a deliberate ploy on his part. It is now time he is recognized as a highly successful Chief Rabbi in a turbulent period of the community's history. [Subject: Biography, Jewish Studies, Religious Studies, Orthodox Judaism]

Hospitality Sales and Promotion' is the essential guide for every manager in the hospitality industry wanting to achieve maximum profits from their sales promotions. Practical and down-to-earth, this guide discovers: who is your customer? market segments and groups how can you reach them effectively? the secrets of successful public relations new and traditional technologies; from direct mail to using the Internet to maximum advantage.Derek Taylor has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked with and advised numerous international corporate hospitality companies. Concrete and relevant case studies and examples from his experience are used to illustrate throughout the guide, from companies such as: Whitbread, Hilton International, Pizza Express and Stakis.

“For me, the essence of this book is the lyrics and I believe they stand the test of time because they are written about man’s eternal quest, dilemmas, joys and sorrows. George’s lyrics were, in my opinion, the most spiritually conscious of our time” – Olivia Harrison Cherished by fans and collectors, I Me Mine is the closest we will come to George Harrison’s autobiography. This new volume has been significantly updated since the 1980 original. For the first time I Me Mine – The Extended Edition covers the full span of George Harrison’s life and work, exploring his upbringing in Liverpool, the growth of Beatlemania, his love of India, gardening and racing cars. I Me Mine also presents 141 of George Harrison’s songs. With lyrics handwritten and reproduced in facsimile, accompanied by his uniquely intimate and humorous commentary, this new edition of I Me Mine now includes more than 50 additional lyrics written for the Beatles and Harrison’s solo albums — from All Things Must Pass to Brainwashed. With written contributions from Olivia Harrison and Derek Taylor, original cover art by Shepard Fairey, and a wealth of previously unpublished material, I Me Mine –The Extended Edition is a treasured portrait of George Harrison and his music. “Writing a song is like going to confession... writing songs to try and find out who you are.” –George Harrison “A book which tells the story of growing up, not necessarily the hard way but certainly not the easy way, for no matter how greatly privilege and wealth may have seemed to grace the Beatles’ evolution, ‘easy’ is not the word for what happened to them on their way to what has come to be known as The Top.” – Derek Taylor