Drop Shadow

A Memior by

Danny McFadden


Danny went from sleeping in parks, a hopeless drunk, to ​becoming an internationally respected lawyer working for the UN ​in New York and across borders in Beijing and beyond. He ​shares his at times surreal odyssey journey through the swinging ​60s, a whirlwind of experimental drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.


He recounts his long spiral to the edge of self-destruction until he ​wakes up in hospital, a trembling wreck fighting for his survival. ​Wilder Shores is a fiercely honest and sometimes hilarious ​reflection of the dizzying rollercoaster of emotions which swept ​him through addiction, recovery and redemption

About

Danny McFadden

Since the events shared in this book Danny has ​pursued a wide ranging international career. After ​becoming dually qualified as a lawyer both in Australia ​and the UK, Danny has acted worldwide as an expert ​trainer in dispute resolution for CEDR and ​organizations such as the EU, ADB, CCPIT (Beijing), ​HKMAAL (Hong Kong). In 2009 he was appointed ​acting Director of Mediation at the United Nations in ​New York. He is currently Regional Mediator in Asia for ​the World Bank Group and IMF. A fluent Mandarin ​speaker, in 2023 in recognition of his decades of work ​in China the Chinese Supreme Court appointed him as ​an Expert in Mediation.


He loves having fun with granddaughters, planting ​trees and listening to music. Danny spends his time ​between Hong Kong, Australia and Ireland.

What readers are saying about Wildershores

“Riveting true story of adventure ​and ​pursuit of meaning with a rock ​‘n' roll ​spirit"


Brittany Collins Best Selling Author ​​of Strays, a Lost Cat and their ​​Journey across America



McFadden’s journey is an amazing ​​one, from seriously down-and-out, ​to ​delivering speeches in fluent ​​Mandarin in China and working at the ​​United Nations. It should give hope ​to ​anyone who feels lost or that ​their life ​is going nowhere.


Susan Coleman Author of Women, ​​Negotiation and Power USA



“Will inspire others to overcome their ​personal demons."


Dr James S P Chiu. Specialist in ​General Surgery. University of Hong ​Kong.

A candid and uplifting memoir ​​capturing the intimate details of ​life ​growing up in a world of ​addiction ​and loneliness, of ​connections ​between unlikely ​friends, of triumph, ​of hope - told ​with warmth, ​emotional acuity, ​compassion and ​inspiration.


Khurshid Bhimani New York USA



“A roller coaster ride from jaw ​​dropping revelations to laugh out ​​loud moments"

Danny literally bares it all with ​naked ​vulnerability and courage. ​This ​incredible journey, filled with ​​shocking twists and turns, is ​cleverly ​woven into a delightful ​narrative that ​is captivating from ​start to finish – I ​could not put it ​down!


Tracey Fox


It's a life well-lived, full of exciting ​​adventures, unbelievable trials, and ​​wonderfully triumphant. There are ​so ​many life lessons to gain from it. ​There ​is always hope and ​redemption for all ​of us and this ​author’s life has ​courageously ​proven it.


Meggy Savady Washington DC.


A fascinating and uplifting account ​of ​his journey from drifting ​addiction to ​to personal and ​professional success ​and ​fulfilment. McFadden stitches ​​together the tapestry of his ​chaotic ​life in 60's and 70's London ​and ​Europe with his awakening and ​​growth from the 1980's onward in ​​Australia and China effortlessly. A ​feel ​good read for anyone wanting ​the ​inspiration gained from the ​fragility ​but also the determination ​of the ​human spirit.


Peter Bailey Bristol UK


This book is a wonderful tale of d​​escent into the ravages of the d​isease ​of alcoholism –including p​eriods of ​immense excitement a​nd wildly ​eccentric characters – b​ut reaches a ​dramatic turning p​oint, the chapter ​fittingly titled E​nd of the Line.


John M Donegal Ireland



Danny McFadden’s memoir lays out ​​how the vicissitudes of life offered ​​him the opportunity to experience ​life ​at its fullest.

Danny traversed so many worlds ​and ​openly shares intimate parts of ​it. He ​cherished many of the people ​he ​encountered along the way and ​​appreciated the kindness of ​​strangers. One could venture to say; ​​perhaps he didn’t have too much to ​​lose at earlier points in his life. ​Danny ​guides the reader through ​each ​chapter, wondering what ​could ​possibly happen next?


Toyo Linda Obayashi USA


The book captures and holds the ​​reader's attention from the ​​beginning. The authenticity, ​​descriptions, vivid characters, and ​the ​characters' vulnerability and ​strength ​are all compelling.


Aparna Mukerjee Chennai India


With Danny McFadden the truth is ​​more incredible than fiction, with ​​some amazing highs and lows and ​​adventures in between. A common ​​theme in this book for me is that ​​despite the challenges, ​misfortunes or ​even poor choices, ​Danny ultimately ​uses a ​combination of his intelligence, ​​ingenuity and tenacity in different ​​situations to try to make life ​better.


Andy Rogers London UK





Connect with ​Danny McFadden

Email

danny@wilder-shores.com

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