Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs...She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Whorehouse

Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs...She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Whorehouse by Paul Carter is an exhilarating memoir that delves into the wild and unpredictable world of oil rig workers. This book offers readers a front-row seat to the life of Paul Carter, a seasoned roughneck whose career in the oil industry has taken him to the most remote and volatile regions on the planet. Paul Carter's narrative arc is shaped by his many incredulous and hair-raising experiences. From narrowly escaping death due to dysentery in Asia, to braving toothache in the severe Russian winters, his encounters are as diverse as they are dangerous. One memorable anecdote includes watching a Texan lose his sanity amidst the oppressive jungles of Asia. Another recounts the surreal moment of being served cocktails by an orang-utan aboard an ocean freighter. Carter's life is a whirlwind of high stakes and high tension, punctuated with dry wit and gallows humour. His postings have been in some of the wildest, most remote, and undeniably hazardous corners of the globe, such as the North Sea, Middle East, Borneo, and Tunisia. The narrative also covers his adventures in exotic locales like Sumatera, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as the perilous environments of Columbia, Nigeria, and Russia. Through these tales, readers are introduced to some of the most eccentric, notorious, and formidable individuals found in the oil trade. Paul Carter has been through the wringer - he's been shot at, hijacked, held hostage, and has navigated a plethora of other deadly scenarios with a combination of sheer grit and dark, irreverent humour. Whether he's recounting the absurdity of betting on death matches between a mouse and a scorpion or detailing the chaos of oil rig operations, Carter's stories are both captivating and ludicrously funny. In addition to the chaos on the rigs, the memoir also explores Carter's quieter moments, providing a picturesque yet starkly contrasting depiction of his serene life in Sydney when he’s not courting disaster at his perilous day job. This dichotomy between his adventurous professional life and his tranquil personal life adds depth to his narrative, making it both relatable and extraordinary. Renowned figures have praised the book's engaging style. John Birmingham, bestselling author of He Died with a Felafel in his Hand, calls it "Great two-fisted writing from the far side of hell." Likewise, Phillip Noyce, director of The Quiet American and Clear and Present Danger, describes it as "A unique look at a gritty game. Relentlessly funny and obsessively readable." Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs...She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Whorehouse is an enthralling, often laugh-out-loud journey through the life of an oil rig worker, whose experiences will keep readers hooked from start to finish. This memoir is an absolute must-read for anyone looking for an unfiltered and hilariously honest glimpse into a world few dare to explore.