...I bought this book to make plans for a trip to Zambia but the chapter about this country is only 40 pages long, both verbose and superficial. Don't get fooled by the "Adventuring" in the title, unless your idea of adventure is to hop by plane from lodge to lodge at $200 or $300 a night. More importantly, except for the park entrance fees, this book doesn't list any price at all (I got them from two other, excellent, travel guides). Comments on cheaper accomodations are few and disenchanted. The maps are equally few and over-simplified (the roads don't even appear!...) Finally, I looked at the chapters about the other countries and it certainly didn't change my opinion about this book. Note also that the date of the last edition (October 97) makes it relatively outdated.

This book is an outstanding resource to be read prior to traveling to South Africa. It covers many different aspects of what the experience will entail. These include the history, etiquette, positives and negatives of each type of travel, various diseases and safety precautions one should take. In addition, he thoroughly delivers every aspect of each south african country...ie. countryside, animals, weather, and history. This book in interesting, exciting, and educational!

This book is full of interesting and pertinent travel information; it is a MUST for anyone interested in game-viewing and travelling in southern Africa. The author gives best times to travel depending on what you want to see, and for each country, lists brief history/present politics, places to stay--easily accessible to remote--and how to get there and what you may see. He also gives a comprehensive packing list, medical info, and tips on game viewing. Out of the 4 books I bought on southern Africa, this is the one I referred to most often. This book, coupled with The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals, is an invaluable southern Africa traveller's necessity.

This is a wondeful book for giving the background in Zimbabwe of the Shona people and a pictographic essay of Zimbabwe which feeds into the Shona sculpture. However, this is not an academic study, not does it give comprehensive biographies of each major Shona sculptor. In its favor, it shows a closeness to the people and an understanding of their history and daily life. It also does have an extensive listing of sculptors which is helpful.

It was interesting to read the other reviews before purchasing this book. I was anxious to read it for myself, since it consistantly got high marks, yet also recieved criticism for not being comprehensive, an apparent dichotomy! Upon opening the book, I read the introduction, which some of the severest critics seem not to have done...for if they had, they would have seen that it clearly states that this is NOT the defintive book on Shona Sculpture, nor would it ever pretend to be! Rather it is an OVERVIEW, and introduction to the people, country, history, geology and culture that have produced this unique artform. The authors also CLEARLY state upfront that this book is THEIR own opinions, and that , as in all art movements, there will be disagreements as to the whens, whos, hows etc. Given this self-appraising clarification from the authors themselves, I found myself at ease reading this book, which has quite a lot of thoughtful and well researched content as well as many beautiful pictures!

I am one of the largest importers of Shona sculpture in the US. [ www.shonagallery.com ]I have traveled to Zimbabwe more than 12 times and have purchased thousands of wonderful sculptures from more than 200 artists directly. I believe this book to be the very best treatment of shona sculpture and its relationship to the Zimbabwean culture that I have seen. The people who put it together seem to have a similar perspective, as I do, on the art form and the people of Zimbabwe. As the country of Zimbabwe and Its people have evolved, so has the art form evolved. It is not an art form exclusive to the first generation artists and their styles. It is a vibrant expressive means of sharing cultural and spiritual feelings through stone. The young artists of Zimbabwe are some of the finest stone sculptors in the world today, and Spirits in Stone is a very inspiring reflection and that fact. It would be a wonderful book to have along with any piece of Shona sculpture one owns, or just a beautiful book to have around.

As a member of the white race, I feel it is my duty to pontificate that much is to be said about our fight against tyrannical monstrosities like Mugabe, his many and various degrees notwithstanding. Such is reality. That persons of European descnedentations are superior, intellectually as well as in the careful & proper--and indeed expedient running of a nation--is now beyond any redemption of debate. Unanimous & self-explanatory as it stands the question must be asked: what is to done now. What duties shall we assignate to the many and various tired souls who stand at the brink of a once robust & thrivening nation's ruins laying bare before them? To answer such a question requires unimaginable heights of intellect, greater even than my own. Indeed, perhaps only an extra-terrestial (many of whom have vistited this little nation) would have the capacity for cognisance of the situation that has befallen Zimbabwe and its' peoples. In any case, three cheers for our beloved leader, the Honourable Ian Douglas Smith.

One of the misconceptions that people who have not read this book apparently have is that the Buckle family is "reaping what it's sown" by having gotten their farm through illegitimate means (ie. colonialism). This is a very crass attitude grounded in both ignorance and racism.

In fact the Buckle family purchased their farm AFTER Zimbabwean independence with the explicit written promise from Mugabe's government that the land would not be targeted for redistribution. The real story here is how a demagogue like Mugabe, who manufactures racial hatred for his own political gain, can be so disrespectful of the very principles that he espoused to obtain power in the first place.

For those who think that the land reform issue is a simple matter of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, it may be quite a shock to learn that the only ones benefiting so far from newly acquired farmland are Mugabe's wealthy political cronies. Everyone else is on the verge of starvation due to the inevitable collapse of the economic infrastructure following the demise of the rule of law.

The rest of the world stood by and watched it happen. Perhaps someday we'll realize that it's far more humanitarian and cost-efficient to prevent famines before they occur.

Although not a professional writer and maybe because of it Cathy Buckle gives an insight to the tragedy that is befalling the normal person in Zimbabwe. Mainly due to her own direct involvment in this, is the point brought across that there is a major problem in Zimbabwe of racism. But not racism of whites on blacks as is normally always what is brought to the world's attention by the media. This is Shona racism against anyone who defies Robert Mugabe. And to those of you who apparently read this book, and reviewed it as trash and declined to leave your name, showing the courage of your convictions, I say to you can you actually read? Well done Cathy, a brillaint work done under what must have beem the most trying of circumstances.

Robert Blake's 'A History of Rhodesia', or as the reviewer prior has pointedly noted, mostly Southern Rhodesia, has earned its place in Rhodesian historiography. There are works which are better suited for those whose grasp of Rhodesian history is cursory. The various works authored by Gann (whom Blake rightly considers to be authoritative heavily relies upon in this book), for example, amongst others would likely be better suited.

Blake tends to be rather longwhinded, and at times even tedius, a concern which fortunately he is highly conscious of, and in turn he is often compelled to keep this in check, sparing the reader even deeper tediums (if anything, certainly a testament to his vast knowledge in this historical field). Blake also displays sometimes a lack of tact (i.e. "Africans are not the best servants"), though never racialism (he is not one, I strongly suspect).

This book by the well-known British Conservative historian, in spite of its often somewhat tiresome emphasis on the constitutional political-legal (and even procedural) dimensions of Rhodesian history, also provides us with poignant insights into the economic and class; sociological and demographic; anthropological and cultural facets of the chartered company -turned- self-governing colony -turned- federation- -turned- UDI-Republicanist.

In one instance, Blake juxtaposes and synthesizes between Australia and New Zealand, the United States and Canada, and the Republic of South Africa and Rhodesia (and, of course, the increasingly intermediatory role - though not irrelevence - of Great Britain in this respect). How Rhodesia differs and stands unique in this regard is one area which the author attempts to elucidate (often with some measure of success). As much as this mildly lengthy book is written in an often longwhinded and sometimes rather dreary fashion, it is also equally rich (content-wise as well as philologically) and engaging. It is, inspite of all its shortcomings, an insightful work, which is in no in shortage of poignant passages, both original and cited. This makes 'A history of Rhodeisa', ultimately, worthwhile notwithstanding some of the aforementioned drawbacks.

To sum up, Robert Blake's 'A History of Rhodesia' is not the first (nor even third) book I would recommend for those interested to learn about Rhodesian history from scratch, not to mention UDI-Rhodesia -turned- Zimbabwe era. Not as seminal as some might claim, nonetheless, it is a recommended read. Its flow, while sometimes somewhat prohibitive, is also often quite facsinating, and less freqently, even nearly-profound. Blake is informative, a talented writer and a compotent academician. It is, then, a work not so much essential, but nevertheless, one which those who possess some familiarity with the subject are likely to value, perhaps even cherish.

Robert Blake's History of Rhodesia is an expertly written account of Rhodesia's past. Blake artistically focused upon the European history of the former colony from the 1890s until the early 1960s. He briefly covers the UDI period of Rhodesia, but his best writing recounts the political events that defined Rhodesia before 1965.

Blake beautifully articulated the political history of Rhodesia, but perhaps, like other liberals, he missed the major point. He failed to account for the African perspective of Rhodesia's turbulent history and how it influenced the Europeans. If Blake had the advantage of today's historical perspective, his book would undoubtably have a different voice.

A History of Rhodesia is a well written book that provides a thorough acccount of (southern) Rhodesia's history. I recommend this book to those interested in detailed southern African history.

Only non-travel guide about Africa in my local library branch when I got back, so I picked it up. Certainly a very interesting picture of the slow death of British colonialism, despite Zimbabwean independence in 1980. And the successive trips provide a living view of changing attitudes and opinions, both of European expatriates and Nationals. Her inner dialogue of changes, good and bad (both very grey categories), is very informative as well.

That said, there is only a loose thread of continuing story that flows through the entire text. Granted, she's documenting her travels, but it seems a bit more perspective (or a more involved editor) could have helped give the book a bit more flow. I'd recommend it quickly to those interested in an authentic look at Africa, but probably not for those looking for a quick read during lunches.

This book is an excellent description of one experience of government intrusion into media freedom. While it leaves many historical questions unanswered, it portrays the way in which an insecure and intolerant Southern Rhodesian government used the legal system to suppress media outcry over racial and political issues of great domestic importance. For anyone interested in Rhodesian history this is a must read!

all i have to say is if you like rhodesian war books you'll like this one .it starts off slow and its not chris cocks's fireforce but its another good story on a subject i love to read about.

The author of Gugu¡¯s House uses her colorful imagination as well as her personal experiences as the basis for the plot and illustrations in this book. A curious little girl named Kukamba, who is the narrator and a main character, learns an intriguing lesson about the importance of art in the community from her grandmother, Gugu. Gugu¡¯s bright personality develops through her creation of art in everything that surrounds her. Stock based her character on the story of a woman who shares this same love of artwork with Gugu. Gugu instills this same value and appreciation in her granddaughter, who also possesses a vivid imagination. On a rainy day, Kukamba emerges to find that the water washes the beautiful masterpieces away. Gugu, who is also the town¡¯s inspirational storyteller, quickly reminds Kukamba that there are amazing and wonderful things to see in all of the nature that surrounds her. She takes the young girl to view the bright colors and wildlife that come with the rain. Kukamba is enlightened and immediately returns to create new masterpieces with her prime motivator, Gugu.
Stock wrote the text in a happy and upbeat fashion that compliments the mood of the characters. Stock¡¯s vibrant illustrations of Gugu and Kukamba¡¯s artwork as well as those of the lush vegetation coincide with the liveliness of the story. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy reading and learning from this entertaining book.
Stock, Catherine. Gugu¡¯s House. New York: Clarion Books, 2001.

Guns and Rain is a very good ethnography which demonstrates how creative human relationships can be despite the most adverse of conditions. The book is set during the civil war which ensues in former Rhodesia with a minority white government unwilling to extend voting rights to the majority unrepresented black population. In highlighting the human level of these problems, Lan very effectively shows us how destructive and instructive colonialism can be for a people. By reading of the relationships that existed before white rule and their destruction and also their emergence out of this experience, we are ultimately awed by how strong the human spirit can be. In spite of such horrific abuse and forced represssion, the local people are able to conquer their lives and move forward and create a new life. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a different perspective on life and humanity in such traumatic circumstances as war and colonialism.

I took over a month to finish reading this BORING BOOK because everytime I started a page I would fall asleep in the middle of that same page.It is such a shame that I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO READ THIS [STUFF] because I had to do this book for one of my most important exams.Mrs.Lessing must have been going through some sort of madness or sickness I assume while she was writing this sorry excuse for a novel.God help us all who must read this book!

We meet Martha Quest as a resentful 15 year old girl, growing up on a farm in Africa. As noted adequately here, this is the first book in her Children of Violence series-- held by many to be Lessings most important body of work (with the exception of _The Golden Notebook_).

I'm one of these Lessing fans from back in the day when _The Golden Notebook_ changed my life, and I haven't read much of her other work. I was impressed by Martha Quest-- it falls in the category of our classic coming-of-age novels, and as such stands well on its own as a novel. Lessing's Martha is at times so frustrating you want to shake her, but I think that's typical for the age of the character portrayed. Martha is all sharp edges-- she can't seem to fit with her parents, the men around her, the people with whom she tries to interact. With the blindness of her age, she's able to acutely feel how hard she has it, without really feeling the struggle of others around her who may have an even more difficult time. By turns infuriating and attractive, it can be painful to read Quest's story precisely because so it's so human as to be disturbingly familiar.

A should-read book.

All pleasure: fast, furious, and completely modern. One of the best of the past century.