Darwen teacher tackles German history in new novel (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen teacher tackles German history in new novel

7:16am Saturday 25th August 2012 in News

A FORMER history teacher has tackled a dark piece of German history in his new novel.

Andrew Rigby, of Warwick Avenue, Darwen, is hoping ‘Will’, set in the run up to the Second World War, will shine a light on a period not often covered by writers.

The 58-year-old former Gawthorpe High and Darwen Moorland High School teacher aims to tell the story of the hardship facing the German people and the subsequent rise of Adolf Hitler through the eyes of Freuntz, an ordinary man whose patriotism is destroyed by his experiences in Russia.

The father-of-two said: “People don’t seem to realise that Hitler didn’t just appear, but what the Germans went through allowed him to take power.

“It is not a text book, though, and I think people will find it a good read.

“It is unusual to see things from a German point of view.

“It is fascinating that a country as civilised and cultured as Germany could go that way, but people don’t realise what the German people went through.”

Mr Rigby, who has been married to his wife Helen for 32 years, has previously written three books, about people from Darwen during the war, Darwen Cricket Club and Blackburn Rovers , but this is the first to be widely available via the internet.

He said: “A lot of people feel they have got a novel in them, and most of them do, but don’t get the chance to actually do it.

“It was always one of my ambitions to write a novel and I am pleased with how it has turned out.”

Mr Rigby is also hoping sales of his novel will raise £500 for The Prince’s Trust, where he has worked as a programme executive since he gave up teaching .

The novel is available to download from www.amazon.co.uk for £8, and printed copies are available for £10 by contacting Mr Rigby on 01282 714325.

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