We've Never Had A King

Guests of the State

Non-Fiction - Cultural
288 Pages
Reviewed on 03/16/2011
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Author Biography

Brad, born during the Roaring Twenties, was greeted with open-arms by The Great Depression and World War II. At fifteen years of age he entered Texas A&M and majored in Chemical Engineering, and at seventeen, he volunteered for Naval Aviation during World War II. Returning to A&M after the war, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. After working a couple of years for Phillips Petroleum Company at their Kansas City refinery, he married a lovely lady named Mary.

In 1957, Brad became an adviser to the Kingdom of Iraq’s Government Oil Refineries Administration. Their experiences in Iraq are described vividly in their book, “WE’VE NEVER HAD A KING.”

Brad has written two other books which have yet to be published. “NO NAME” is a memoir of his early life, and “DADDY, THE HEAD FELL OFF MY BARBIE DOLL!” is a biography of their adopted daughter’s childhood.

Brad and Mary spent thirty very interesting years overseas in Iraq, Kuwait, Japan, France, England, Spain and Venezuela, before returning to the States in 1991. They enjoyed their bridge and golf in The Hills of Lakeway, west of Austin, until Mary passed away in 2001, after fifty wonderful years of marriage. Brad now lives in an apartment complex near his alma mater, Texas A&M.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Diane Carter for Readers' Favorite

We've Never Had A King is a fascinating look at the lives of Mary and Brad Bradbury and a bit of the history of Iraq. The setting is the 1950s, Iraq. Brad was a guest of the state, and advisor to the Government Oil Refineries Administration. Brad and Mary were married for fifty years. The tales of their adventures in Iraq are entertaining. He also shares great insight to the customs of the country. They were in Iraq during a turbulent era.

Bradbury shares the experiences from his point of view. I found the short essays to be humorous. This would make a great audible book if the author would read it himself giving it his personal touch. The style is conversational and entertaining. I felt as if I was enjoying a summer day with Brad as he reminisced.

This book is an easy and fast read. It is obvious Mary and Brad shared a great love. This book stayed with me long after I closed the cover.