“What a WONDERFUL book. Don't think it is just about the war against the terrorists in Rhodesia; its much much more than that. Its a book of memories of growing up and becoming a man in Africa. A white man yes but still a man in Africa with all that goes with that. With "turns" that were not expected and with tears in my eyes as I finished the book, I without reservation recommend this book to those who have lived in sub-Saharan Africa. I humbly suggest that those who have not lived in Africa will not understand or appreciate what the author has written...”
Amazon.com
“I'm black and was born in post-independence Zimbabwe. Though not a precisely politically correct treatise, I found this book a very interesting and engaging read. Well written and coherent, this book will take you on a journey from colonial Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) through the intermediate Zimbabwe-Rhodesia period to the latter day Zimbabwean political/economic meltdown albeit through white Zimbabwean (Rhodesian) eyes. A highly engrossing tale written from the heart of someone who certainly has an emotional attachment to Africa.”
Amazon.co.uk
“I downloaded your book on my Kindle and am almost half way through. Enjoying it immensely. I worked for a few months in Bulawayo back in the mid 60's. Your descriptions of Rhodesian life are spot on!”
Letter from a reader on www.goodreads.com
“Buy it, you won't be disappointed. I just finished it. Excellent book.”
Youtube comment
“A great book about a period of history I knew little about. While not "politically correct" it is a heartrending tale of a man caught on the wrong side of history. It artfully combines a sumation of a politcal debate and a war memoir wrapped in the form of a novel. I would recommend this to anyone willing to give this the time and thought it deserves. ”
Amazon.com
“Currently reading 'Tokolosh' on my Kindle....so far one of the better 'fictional' books of the Rhodesian conflict......”
www.newrhodesian.net
“Conrad K's book, In the Shadow of the Tokolosh, is a painful reminder of how it all began. How the hopes and dreams of a small country were dashed on the alter of expediency and, at the time, political correctness. The story is a skillful blend of fact and, presumably, fiction; though the descriptions of the bush war are indeed very realistic...”
Amazon.com
“Just finished reading this book, for someone who grew up during this time, it brought back a lot of memories. The writing keeps you interested the whole way through. It was a fantastic read, loved every word. It's one of those books that you can't stop turning the pages and yet you're really sad when you get to the end so fast.... damn! should have made it last a little longer!!”
Amazon.com
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Jenny’s poem to the fallen (Ref: “In the Shadow of the Tokolosh”)
On the 50th Anniversary year of the RLI, let's remember all those brave fallen men, black and white, who fought to save Rhodesia.
A poem to my father
A poem to my father
I was only a little girl when my father went off to fight,
We were told ‘Be good for Mummy and be sure to lock up tight.’
‘I’m going to play with pop guns,’ my Dad, he’d told me then,
‘Take care of your little sister ‘til I get back, I know not when.’
He’d waved his happy wave before he disappeared out of sight,
And I never saw my Dad after that dark and fateful night.
Very many times since then I have asked the question why,
Did he have to leave that day? I wish he hadn’t, I can’t lie.
What was the awful urgency that he needed to go away,
‘He was fighting for our safety and our birthright,’ Mum would say.
As the years have drifted past me, I have come to understand,
The need for one to belong to something and for a man to defend his land.
He had fought through fear and frustration, he had watched his brothers fall
But he never forgot his mission when he heard the Fish Eagle call.
With glasses full and ready, it’s time to remember all those so brave,
As we look back with distant longing at the country they couldn’t save.
I’m so proud of my soldier father, for he fought for my right to say,
I’m a Rhodesian through and through and will so be to my dying day.
Jenny Martin Reprinted by permission from Silverling Inspired, publishers of "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh". The story of four young men growing up in the wilderness, as the last remnants of colonialism in Africa. While the world and its attitude changed around them, they found themselves fighting to save their way of life, in a land that did not share their views or values. Set in the Zambezi Valley, where the white man made his last stand in Africa.
We were told ‘Be good for Mummy and be sure to lock up tight.’
‘I’m going to play with pop guns,’ my Dad, he’d told me then,
‘Take care of your little sister ‘til I get back, I know not when.’
He’d waved his happy wave before he disappeared out of sight,
And I never saw my Dad after that dark and fateful night.
Very many times since then I have asked the question why,
Did he have to leave that day? I wish he hadn’t, I can’t lie.
What was the awful urgency that he needed to go away,
‘He was fighting for our safety and our birthright,’ Mum would say.
As the years have drifted past me, I have come to understand,
The need for one to belong to something and for a man to defend his land.
He had fought through fear and frustration, he had watched his brothers fall
But he never forgot his mission when he heard the Fish Eagle call.
With glasses full and ready, it’s time to remember all those so brave,
As we look back with distant longing at the country they couldn’t save.
I’m so proud of my soldier father, for he fought for my right to say,
I’m a Rhodesian through and through and will so be to my dying day.
Jenny Martin Reprinted by permission from Silverling Inspired, publishers of "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh". The story of four young men growing up in the wilderness, as the last remnants of colonialism in Africa. While the world and its attitude changed around them, they found themselves fighting to save their way of life, in a land that did not share their views or values. Set in the Zambezi Valley, where the white man made his last stand in Africa.
Friday, 18 February 2011
A letter to Silverling Inspired (Ref: “In the Shadow of the Tokolosh”)
Hi Silverling Inspired,
Thank you very much for publishing "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh". I read it last week and could not put it down until I had finished it. Sadly, the end leaves so many questions unanswered and they have been gnawing at me ever since. Hence the email. I understand the need for a few creative discretions licence but is this the whole story?
Assuming that Wrex is based on the original author, we know that his story doesn't end there and I am curious know what happened between then and 1999 and further on until 2008. What happens to Chips and the girls, Johan & Leo, Jacob (SP49)? What about his ageing buddies in Harare and Bulawayo?
Maybe I am reading too much in this as it is ultimately a story but it has really piqued my interest. Any assistance or insight that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Yours Sincerely,
*************
Dear ************* ,
Thank you so much for your email. Its great to receive questions with such interest. I have worked very closely on this project for many years and asked the question about the author many times myself.
With regards to who wrote this book, and his relation to Wrex, I believe there are two conclusions that are possible. Either this was written by a friend, which is indeed referred to in “A time for all Seasons”, but I think this is unlikely because of the intimate detail bestowed on the character. Or it was actually written by Wrex, under a pseudonym, and he viewed his ultimate death as a metaphor for the death of Rhodesia.
What happened from 1972 in this man’s life (should he have actually lived) can only be guessed but it is true to say that most Rhodesians either tried to stick it out through the war and through the early years of Mugabe’s regime or tried to leave to build new lives, especially in South Africa. From 1972 it got harder and more vicious and perhaps the author couldn’t face this part of his struggle and that is why he ended the story where he did. I have no doubt that his family and friends did exist and that they suffered through many more years of hardship as a result of the bitter bush war but who can tell how he ended up a fallen man outside a Johannesburg bus station. Like all of his brothers that he saw trying to get by, he no doubt befell the same fate.
As for Bigfoot and SP49, I believe from my research that the author is referring to actual men that fought in the guerilla armies of the time – especially Bigfoot. There was an incident on a farm on the Zambezi escarpment in the 1970s and an Operation called Hurricane. A little research around this area should give you some answers.
Rhodesians were never able to accept Britain’s swift withdrawal from the country. There was no support given to the servicemen and they were just left to fight through the chaos. I am Rhodesian myself. Though too young at the time to understand what was going on, I still feel anger about what happened there.
I hope I have answered a few of your questions. Rhodesia had its faults but was a fine country in so many ways. There are some fantastic books out there about the subject. I hope this will have piqued your interest even more.
Thank you and kindest regards
Silverling Inspired
Publisher of "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh"
www.silverlinginspired.co.uk
Thank you very much for publishing "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh". I read it last week and could not put it down until I had finished it. Sadly, the end leaves so many questions unanswered and they have been gnawing at me ever since. Hence the email. I understand the need for a few creative discretions licence but is this the whole story?
Assuming that Wrex is based on the original author, we know that his story doesn't end there and I am curious know what happened between then and 1999 and further on until 2008. What happens to Chips and the girls, Johan & Leo, Jacob (SP49)? What about his ageing buddies in Harare and Bulawayo?
Maybe I am reading too much in this as it is ultimately a story but it has really piqued my interest. Any assistance or insight that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Yours Sincerely,
*************
Dear ************* ,
Thank you so much for your email. Its great to receive questions with such interest. I have worked very closely on this project for many years and asked the question about the author many times myself.
With regards to who wrote this book, and his relation to Wrex, I believe there are two conclusions that are possible. Either this was written by a friend, which is indeed referred to in “A time for all Seasons”, but I think this is unlikely because of the intimate detail bestowed on the character. Or it was actually written by Wrex, under a pseudonym, and he viewed his ultimate death as a metaphor for the death of Rhodesia.
What happened from 1972 in this man’s life (should he have actually lived) can only be guessed but it is true to say that most Rhodesians either tried to stick it out through the war and through the early years of Mugabe’s regime or tried to leave to build new lives, especially in South Africa. From 1972 it got harder and more vicious and perhaps the author couldn’t face this part of his struggle and that is why he ended the story where he did. I have no doubt that his family and friends did exist and that they suffered through many more years of hardship as a result of the bitter bush war but who can tell how he ended up a fallen man outside a Johannesburg bus station. Like all of his brothers that he saw trying to get by, he no doubt befell the same fate.
As for Bigfoot and SP49, I believe from my research that the author is referring to actual men that fought in the guerilla armies of the time – especially Bigfoot. There was an incident on a farm on the Zambezi escarpment in the 1970s and an Operation called Hurricane. A little research around this area should give you some answers.
Rhodesians were never able to accept Britain’s swift withdrawal from the country. There was no support given to the servicemen and they were just left to fight through the chaos. I am Rhodesian myself. Though too young at the time to understand what was going on, I still feel anger about what happened there.
I hope I have answered a few of your questions. Rhodesia had its faults but was a fine country in so many ways. There are some fantastic books out there about the subject. I hope this will have piqued your interest even more.
Thank you and kindest regards
Silverling Inspired
Publisher of "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh"
www.silverlinginspired.co.uk
Friday, 14 January 2011
Last of the Rhodesians (Ref: General)
I am the daughter of a Rhodesian military man and was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia in 1973. I consider myself one of the last generation who may remember Rhodesia as it was, though I was not old enough to know much about what was happening around me back then. Indeed I was one of the little school children who was told to stand on Enterprise Road in Harare waving the new flag and welcoming the new government back in the 80s. It is only in recent years, after completing a project (editing a book) that I have really come to understand the battle that was taking place around me back then.
Many years later I have found myself inextricably drawn to the plight of the Rhodesians and to the Zimbabweans now. It has been said many times that Rhodesia was once the bread basket of Africa and is no more, that statement is undeniably true, but it is also true that this came at a cost. Today, the land is fruitless and the people are no more free than 40 years ago. The only people who won that vicious bush war in the 60s and 70s were the fat cats that now 'govern' the country.
I hope over time to relay my feelings and hopefully in return get feedback to help me learn more about the country of my birth. I am proudly Rhodesian even though we moved from Zimbabwe many years ago. I naively wish that Zimbabwe has a chance to regain its integrity and pride.
Ashley
Silverling Inspired Publishing Ltd
www.silverlinginspired.co.uk
Publisher of "in the Shadow of the Tokolosh"
Many years later I have found myself inextricably drawn to the plight of the Rhodesians and to the Zimbabweans now. It has been said many times that Rhodesia was once the bread basket of Africa and is no more, that statement is undeniably true, but it is also true that this came at a cost. Today, the land is fruitless and the people are no more free than 40 years ago. The only people who won that vicious bush war in the 60s and 70s were the fat cats that now 'govern' the country.
I hope over time to relay my feelings and hopefully in return get feedback to help me learn more about the country of my birth. I am proudly Rhodesian even though we moved from Zimbabwe many years ago. I naively wish that Zimbabwe has a chance to regain its integrity and pride.
Ashley
Silverling Inspired Publishing Ltd
www.silverlinginspired.co.uk
Publisher of "in the Shadow of the Tokolosh"
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