REVIEWS ... Books and Novels
Tongues of Fire, 17 Sep 2007
By Alan Brooke "Alf" (South Yorkshire)
Charles Gardner is to be congratulated on producing an exciting account of church growth worldwide in the 20th century. His journalistic flair brings together for us both the "legendary" figures in the church and those lesser known - particularly to evangelicals and pentecostals.
We are offered a fresh look at the divine pattern in both its less controversial aspects and those more so.
In the view of this reviewer with church experience in 4 continents, this deserves to be a best seller.
Poems by “T”
Born in Middlesex, England, of an upper-middle class family, Hylda Richards moved to a farm in Southern Rhodesia with her husband and two small children in 1928.
They lived in a mud hut and cooked in a hole in the ground until they had made bricks and built a house. For the average farmer, these were precarious times: tobacco had not yet become the golden crop, prices were low, profits often nonexistent, and those who managed to stay on the land did so because they had courage, resilience and that cheerful brand of optimism, which is the very essence of pioneering enterprise.
Battling drought, insects, food shortages, floods and bush fires, her indomitable spirit and sense of humour turned small disasters into a comedy of errors that she put into verse and regularly published in the national newspaper, The Rhodesia Herald and The New Rhodesia. Published under the pen-name of 'T', Hylda Richard's poems were a permanent and much-loved feature of Rhodesia before and during the Second World War.
This A5 size novel contains humorous sketches amongst the 164 pages. It is a classical Rhodesian work that will surely grace the shelves of every Rhodesian in every walk of life.
The recommended retail price is £9.99
Thundering Smoke -- A Review by Rail enthusiast Robin Taylor.
It is an amazing collection of information and I never knew that George had accumulated so much. He must have spent many thousands of hours in railway offices over the years. He did a wonderful job and the book is a fitting tribute and memorial to a great and much loved man. I certainly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in our Railways.
I feel we all owe you and Richard a deep debt of gratitude for all you did to ensure that George's text was finally published. So much valuable interesting information is now in the public domain.
Robin Taylor
Harare
Thundering Smoke - R. G. Pattison
The book was written with real passion – the passion for one of Southern Africa’s great railways, that of Rhodesia and subsequently Zimbabwe. This is just so evident from the author, now late, who has been most affectionately called “a bevearing historian” by a fellow writer. George Pattison wrote with such enthusiasm about railways, which he began experiencing in this part of the world as a traveling schoolboy. He commuted by train between Rhodesia and Grahamstown in South Africa’s Eastern Cape sixty years back. As an adventurous singleton, George’s love of railways took him all the way to East Africa. He loved the trains then and wrote reflectively about his youthful love. On the subject of love, George met the love of his life – a friendship and companionship that spanned thirty-nine years - on a train, his late, dear wife Geraldine. Not too surprising then that Thundering Smoke should be dedicated to Geraldine and their three offspring, Susan, Richard and Gillian.
Thundering Smoke is the culmination of over twenty years of research and studious pen-pushing documentation. Yes, it does cover the wealth of locomotives that were instrumental in the development of the country’s rail system from 1892, but its distinct uniqueness lies in the passion and enthusiasm of writing about the locomotives – from footplate or cab experiences – to the men who ordered certain types and those who drove them with a tremendous likeness or dislike. Pattison cultivated friendships with many of the men on the system and as a result gleaned much about the nuances of individual locomotive types. Unlike any other author, Pattison resided in Rhodesia-cum-Zimbabwe most of his life with his finger on the pulse of every development in the country – widespread dieselisation, the appearance of South African steam and diesel locomotives on the system, the intriguing economic sanctions’ era with its below-the-counter motive power acquisitions, the large-scale refurbishment of steam and diesel locomotives, the emergence of Zimbabwe Railways and the post-independence innovation of electrification.
Pattison spent hours and hours in the NRZ Headquarters’ building researching the operational history files of individual locomotives in particular classes and the mileage contribution of these locos – steam, diesel, electric – have all been documented. George Pattison unashamedly credits locomotive types which were real stunners in their contribution to the Rhodesia Railways and latterly National Railways of Zimbabwe. The North British 12th Class, Beyer Peacock 15th Class, the English Electric DE 2 and the General Electric DE 6 classes all come to mind in the accolades.
The personal accounts and anecdotes which appear in the book make it different. George, who was a school teacher and then a principal in several government schools, recalls taking his soccer boys for a practice in Marandellas (east of then Salisbury) one afternoon and everything coming to a standstill as the horn and growl of an unknown source of motive power permeated the air. It turned out to be the first of Rhodesia Railways DE 2 Class diesel units from the English Electric company back in 1955. Everyone watched it go past the school boundary.
Pattison provides early in the publication a most useful preamble concerning the construction of the system, the terrain, the track, the weather, operating aspects, trains’ working, depots and crew working and the chief mechanical engineers and their individual contribution to motive power choice and development. This publication is not just for locomotive aficionados – it’s a commentary on the social and economic fabric of a vibrant young country down near the bottom of “the stretch of Africa”.
The text is complemented by black and white photographs and tables of data. The cover is illustrated in colour. The publishing of the book in the United Kingdom was undertaken enthusiastically by Sable Publishing House, owned by Mr Tony Morkel, a former pupil of the late author! At £24, 50 Thundering Smoke is a superb addition to one’s railway shelves and a tribute to one of the most prolific researchers of the railways in the old colonial African sub-continent. George Pattison’s untimely death was in March 2005.
A4, soft cover in colour, 240 pages, 184 b/w photos, colour photos on cover only, 2 maps, steam and diesel spec. tables, mileage tables for most locomotive classes; ISBN 0-9549488-1-5.
Contact: admin@Sable-Publishing-House.com
John Batwell
Rhodesian Dawn Zimbabwe Darkness
The Evening Telegraph -- Review by Darren Holden
Rhodesian Dawn Zimbabwe Darkness by Tony Morkel
Sable Publishing House, £12.99
Rating: XXX--
This two-part novel by Rhodesian émigré Tony Morkel is concerned with how Zimbabwe, once one of the most advanced nation-states in Africa, has found itself under the heel of the despotic Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF Party, and how the country has descended into land disputes, violence, famine, disease and poverty.
The first novel, “Rhodesian Dawn, Zimbabwe Darkness” charts the rise and fall of the colony of Rhodesia as seen through the eyes of three generations of the male line of the De La Harp family taking us from early colonialism to the start of the Civil War period.
Arthur, the pater familias of the De La Harp family is first encountered in 1888 as a brave 14-year old embarking on an epic trek as a pioneer and entrepreneur from South Africa to Rhodesian territory.
His son Southey establishes the family empire, whilst the story of the third in the line Brett De la Harp brings us up to the modern era, with his tale of how the colony became mired in horrific inter-racial and tribal conflict, and how international politics conspired to set the colony on the path to civil war.
Arthur’s adventures through South Africa and Rhodesia are dramatic conflicts against nature and disease and work well on their own as ‘big trek’ stories so beloved of the South African region, his journey and Brett’s tale on the pursuit of Sauros (in real-life notorious ‘war-veteran’ leader Hitler Hunzvi) are absorbing highlights of the book.
Some readers may be put off by the brash, patriotic and proud, heart-on-the sleeve style that Morkel employs.
My caveat would be, if you are looking for an unbiased or particulary comprehensive history of the Rhodesian conflict, this obviously isn’t the book, but as a personal account of certain periods of family and political history it works well and the enthusiasm and passion in this book make up for any minor faults of style.
I found it refreshing to read and as his first novel in the series it did it’s job perfectly well in that it has whetted my appetite for the second book, where I think the author's background will give us an interesting and much-needed account of the betrayal and sense of loss that Rhodesian expatriates feel.
Darren Holden
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Review from Amazon.co.uk web site
Rhodesian Dawn, Zimbabwe Darkness, October 3, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Zimbabwe.
An emotional tragedy that has had to be written. The tales surrounding the birth and death of this nation, its people and rich resources are positively portrayed in simplicity. From the birth of Rhodesia to a wounded and festering Zimbabwe, the changing circumstance of every citizen has dealt a jarring, shattering blow to traditions, life and honour. The world looks on, and passes by. The people of Zimbabwe observe silently as all world leaders determine to assure that terrorism will never be beaten. The brilliance, strength and determination of that dying tribe of Rhodesians is possibly about to be buried.
The stories move fast; events have been well detailed and include the rigours of emotional war and passions of ordinary people. This is an excellent tale of colonial reality as experienced at roots. The sequel "Zimbabwe Darkness, the Enemy Within" must become essential reading for every passionate member of civilised leadership.
The experiences and emotions of the author are portrayed light heartedly, sometimes with humour and blood in the same sentence. The plot is a well structured documentation of reality.
Informative. Well written. Entertaining. An excellent first time Novel from an author that will surely become internationally recognised.
Rhodesian Dawn Zimbabwe Darkness - 2nd Edition
FROM THE HEART OF AFRICA COMES A TALE OF VIBRANT LIFE AND DEATH, LOVE AND BETRAYAL, PEACE AND WAR
This is the unadulterated story of the birth and death of Rhodesia.
This first novel by Tony Morkel is a factual account of triumph for human endurance and psychological strength in the harsh days of pioneering and colonising unexplored Africa.
This is the story of Arthur, the pioneer who carved an empire out of lion-infested, malarial bush.
His son Southey, who continues his legacy.
And then Brett, whose deep friendship with his black boyhood friends is pushed to the outer limits in the festering wounds of racism and rationalisation that turned ordinary men into monsters, committing unspeakable atrocities.
This sometime humorous and often devastatingly poignant account of a white African's agonising battle to save his home and family gives an insight into events from colonisation to black rule that shaped the collective character of a great nation. Pride, Purpose, Strength and a unique Amalgamation of Cultures.
The sequel, ZIMBABWE DARKNESS - THE ENEMY WITHIN, is the inside tale of greed and privilege in the corridors of political power, revealing elements of Mugabe's influence and psychological manipulation that have plundered Zimbabwe and her people to inconceivable depths of desperation, at a cost of 600,000 lives.
Customer Review -- WHSmith web site.
Rhodesian Dawn Zimbabwe Darkness
Reviewed by R. B-Smith
A modern day Wilbur Smith. This man has truly lived the traditional dreams. This well researched Novel has continual expectations twisting at every corner. Informative, solidly accurate emotion well blended with historical revelations and grand advice. A good read if you aspire to good leadership, honourable morals and scrupulous integrity, as did the nation of Rhodesia.
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Review by the Publisher
A tale of political greed and self seeking genius, which results in the rape and destruction of an entire Nation.
The tragedies unfolding in Zimbabwe stem from leadership decisions in the era of Harold MacMillan, Jimmy Carter, Harold Wilson, Robert Mugabe, Ian Smith, Henry Kissinger and Hendrik Verwoed.
The resultant demise of the people and assetts of Zimbabwe is substantiated as the single most successful theft in history. Mugabe has effectively outwitted every world leader - as well as manipulating the hearts and minds of the people of Zimbabwe. The country is now the perfect haven and springboard for world terrorism.
The battle camps and training facilities that once fine-tuned the most successful anti-terrorist military men on earth -- C Squadron SAS, The Royal Rhodesian Airforce, The Rhodesian Light Infantry, The Rhodesian African Rifles, Rhodesia Regiment, The British South Africa Police (BSAP) and The Selous Scouts -- are now at the disposal of global terrorism and world wide destruction.
This Novel ventures through actual experiences of the author. In support of the many men and women who lived through these times and in the interests of individual security, most names, dates and places have been changed. The principle and emotion is un-edited. Expressed as a work of fiction, this novel reveals grass-root reality.
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Kings Gold
A Novel by Glenn Macaskil
KING’S GOLD REVIEWS
1) EDENVALE NEWS – NOVEMBER 2003
Glenn Macaskill publishes first novel…. Glenn, a member at Lombardy East Sports Club, was an officer in the special branch of the BSA Police in the former Rhodesia and his novel is based on his experiences pre and post Zimbabwean independence… King’s Gold is a topical novel about a hidden priceless relic and political intrigue in present day Zimbabwe.
2) Foreword by Christopher Munnion.
Chris was Africa correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph for over 20 years. His final paragraph: “It is against a disturbing backdrop that Glenn has set this story. As a long-serving policemen in the former Rhodesia, he has a depth of knowledge of the country and its people that gives his novel the depth, breadth and pace of a breaking news story the end of which will have to await history’s judgement.”
3) RHODESIANS WORLD WIDE MAGAZINE – 2004
“Not a book for the faint-hearted… history is well researched and well written…book spans the history of Zimbabwe as a country and a people by using the activities of the protagonist Trevor Lawson, his travels, his search for an ancient treasure, and his many counterparts to tell the story… the writing is descriptive as he comes back to Zimbabwe after living in South Africa for many years… describes his feelings as he enters and what he perceives as changes from when he left… author does this with clear and well-written text…. uses slang related to Rhodesia but does not leave the non-Rhodesian out of the mix as he works the definition into the text… lends to an easier read for those unfamiliar with slang terms… after about sixty pages the plot begins to take a twist and we discover a group of people in various governmental secret agencies who discuss how to remove Mugabe from power… story lines in the book mix well… book is well paced and researched… only concern this reader had was the graphic descriptions of violence.”
4) PRETORIA NEWS – JANUARY 2004
“This first novel is described as an epic adventure midst the ruins of Zimbabwe… fiction with a strong basis of fact, chronicling the country’s decline under the despotic rule of Robert Mugabe… the massacre of thousands of tribespeople in Matabeleland is sharply painted… Trevor Lawson’s background in the BSA Police stands him in good stead in the gripping adventure he becomes embroiled in at the Zimbabwe Ruins… love interest is provided by Sally Romney, survivor of an attack on her grandfather’s ranch… in a strong sub-plot a group of politicians and government agents subtly plot Mugabe’s downfall… action is heightened by the discovery of an ancient relic and a daring scheme to get it out of the country… Trevor’s group hotly pursued by the government’s Central Intelligence Organisation… in the background farm invasions and violence are rife, routes are perilous and loyalties divided… well-rounded novel, however writing style is marred in some places by stilted dialogue and touches of naivety… because of the subject matter and setting I predict it will be a popular work with the reading public.”
5) AFRICAN ARMED FORCES JOURNAL – JANUARY 2004
“All the ingredients for a good story and when fact and fiction are coupled, even if based on the so often inaccurate media reports, it becomes difficult for the reader to put them in their true perspective… author served in the BSA Police and is well placed to keep the story line in kilter… even when approaching the area of fiction, no doubt Glenn Macaskill was well aware that many of his readers would be in a position to express opinions on the possibility and probability of his story-line, so a jury was in place to ensure he kept within reasonable parameters… gold has provided many a foundation for authors for many years and presence of natural wealth does allow for the intervention of the major powers or their surrogates, the intelligence agencies, to become involved… whether this book is seen totally as a work of fiction, or fiction based on fact, even if the factual content is only a very small percentage of the total, it is still a worthwhile read…. King’s Gold might even provide a guideline as to what will be the future of that troubled land, Zimbabwe.”
6) PROFESSOR RALPH EDWARDS – DIRECTOR, W.H.O. SWEDEN – 2004
“Dear Glenn, I have now finished your superb book…. Couldn’t put it down and I equally did not do it justice in really absorbing all the facts and history you so carefully researched… on the other hand what I did know about past and more recent history was corroborated and amplified by your text… the book is a strikingly good adventure yarn which carried me along and reminded me of the old Rhodesian days… many memories which I have locked away were awakened by the book… so very many thanks for taking this effort, I suspect on so very many people’s behalf.”
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