John Cameron & K Rogers
Published by Hachette (2021)
John Cameron’s bestselling book, Boy 11963, is such an incredible one that several reviewers remarked the story reads like fiction.
However, court documents and newspaper reports all bear testimony to the fact that the astonishing circumstances surrounding his birth and life are very real.
At only five months old, John Cameron was abandoned in a Dublin orphanage and was fostered out as a child labourer by age three. In 1944 when he turned eight, he was incarcerated in Artane Industrial School, where he became boy 11963.
John knew nothing about his mother, father or family. He didn’t know who he was or where he came from. Haunted by his secret past, he embarked on a lifelong quest to unravel the truth about his origins.
In his mid-eighties, John Cameron decided to tell his shocking but inspirational story for the first time, and I was privileged to tell it with him.
First-time author John was thrilled to see his story listed as Eason’s book of the month alongside Jeffrey Archer!
Boy 11962 quickly became a bestseller. John’s book soared to number two in the non-fiction charts, number three in the overall charts, and it remained in the top ten Nielson BookScan charts for eight weeks.
Media Praise for the story of Boy 11963
‘An astonishing life story that is exceptionally well told… this one proved to be one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of my reading life…’ – Estelle Birdy, Irish Times.
‘Boy 11963 is an incredible story…’ – Rosita Boland, Irish Times.
‘Imagine The Field with more sex and Protestants…a well-written, well-paced account of his exceptional life… – Estelle Birdy, Irish Times.
‘A powerful account of a boy’s lost childhood…It will make you angry and sad, but it is not a depressing read…it’s gripping…’– Tina Neylon, Irish Examiner.
‘A truly remarkable memoir …I cannot recommend highly enough…I’m so convinced about the power and beauty of this book…’ – Joe Duffy, RTE broadcaster.
‘What is most striking about this book is the humanity …[this is] a story that needed to be told…’ – Ann Dunne, Irish Independent.
