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HomeShop at BookSurgeBody, Mind & SpiritUnexplained PhenomenaPeponi: An East African Odyssey |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 2 customer reviews )
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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 In general, it passes the "It could've happened" test Feb 10, 2010
By Charles Ashbacher
The best historical fiction satisfies two conditions, the first is that it starts with facts and the point where it deviates is clearly labeled. Secondly, it reaches the level of the "It could've happened" test. This book satisfies both of these conditions, the first is made clear in the opening background segment.
The First World War was global in nature but when it is covered in history classes, the overwhelming emphasis is on the fighting on the European continent. If other theaters are mentioned, they are the actions in Asia Minor or the Arab lands. Completely forgotten is the action in Africa below the Sahara Desert, the consequences of which are still being played out. When the war broke out, Germany had several colonies in Africa, which became immediate targets of interest for Great Britain as they were considered great prizes of the war. The specific areas of action described here are in the British possessions of Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar and the German colony of Tanganyika.
The war was a very small one, the largest units were made up of only 5,000 men and most of the soldiers were native Africans. However, taking place in the majesty that is Africa and the local cultures that were often at odds with each other, this is a good story. The only point where I would question the tone and style of the book is the depiction of how the Europeans treated the Africans. In this story, they are regularly treated with respect and as equals, which was not the way it was, Europeans considered the Africans to be savages and the majority of the time treated the Africans as little more than slaves.
One point that was true was the chivalrous nature of the officers on the British and German sides. When they met, even to discus surrender terms, the visitor was treated as an equal and the officers had a sumptuous meal together before departing to their positions where they would go back to their business of trying to kill each other.
Other than the glossing over of the European treatment of the native Africans, this story passes the "It could've happened" test, which makes it an entertaining tale for the person that knows the history of Africa.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 If you love Casablanca you should love this book Dec 27, 2009
By MotherLodeBeth
"MotherLodeBeth"
If you love movies like Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart you should love this book as it has a similar flavor. Well written and will hold your attention. Have to admit I was surprised to learn that 'Not content to afflict sailors, syphilis has accosted its share of celebrities: Franz Schubert, King Charles VIII of France, Hernando Cortez, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Czar Ivan the Terrible, Al Capone, Leo Tolstoy, Vladimir Lenin, and of course Karen Blixen, who got the disease from her unfaithful husband. He contacted it from an African woman who worked the Lord Delamere Terrace and Bar in Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi.'
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