Amazon's #1 Bestseller in History Discovery & Exploration category

Cold War Candles is an entertaining merchant navy memoir by debut author Nick Eliason about early life at sea in the 70's. The perfect summer 2025 holiday read

Buy signed editions or digital downloads direct from the author. A portion of sales from digital downloads goes to Prostate Cancer UK

  • Cold War Candles (front cover) - Memoir by Nick Eliason. A tale of adventures as a navy officer in the British merchant navy in the 70's and 80's.
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Cold War Candles (Signed copy)

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Heartwarming, humour and history. The must read autobiography of a grammar school drop-out, sailor in the merchant navy, navigator of the famous QE2 ship and one of the first Englishmen to successfully marry a Soviet citizen. If ever a book sparked a longing for those halcyon 70's days - this is it!

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Readers can't stop talking about Cold War Candles...

  • Cold War Candles - new book review

    An amazing read!

    "What a great read, thank you to Nick Eliason for such a wonderful book. It felt as if we were beside the author, he really immersed his reader into his story and what a story - all fact, no fiction which made it even more amazing to read." - Sue Wood

  • Cold War Candles - new book review

    A life well lived

    "I loved this book, just goes to show how much of the world there is to explore and how to squeeze every drop out of life. An inspiring read, coincidentally enough read on the deck of a ship!” – Rick E

  • Something completely different

    "Purchased this book as I have some knowledge of the experiences the author went through. What a fascinating and intriguing story this is. A tale of one man’s experiences in the merchant navy on board both cargo and a historical cruise ship leading to smuggling his intended wife from behind the iron curtain and other adventures all over the world. Well written, interesting , humorous, and even thrilling." - Kevin J. Keay
Cold War Candles - new book review

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Step aboard and set sail on a captivating journey through the high seas in Cold War Candles—a gripping, true-to-life account of what it was really like to serve in the British Royal Merchant Navy during the golden era of maritime trade. From stormy nights and exotic ports to the unbreakable camaraderie forged on deck, this memoir offers a rare insider’s perspective on life at sea.

Wave after wave of laugh-out-loud moments, adventure, and unforgettable stories, new author Nick Eliason shares it all with wit, charm, and a sailor’s sharp eye for the absurd in his debut book. If you love maritime history, seafaring memoirs, or just a good old-fashioned yarn told with a twinkle in the eye, this is your perfect next read.