Rating: 
Summary: "A must read for everyone"
Review: "A must read for everyone," most seem to say when describing the book Mukiwa. Which is pretty true. Even people as young as in their early teenage years should at least try to read it. I'm only thirteen, and I read this book and enjoyed it.
Rating: 
Summary: Left me feeling I'd read an entertaining story, but ....
Review: ... I still felt he'd left some vital things out. There was a lot of information one could relate to ... but it still seemed something was missing. Regarding the incident of the the pet ant-eater "accidentally" mistaken for a wild one and killed for food by a group of Blacks: the writer cares not to mention the desperation of a large proportion of the indigenous population. He mentions nothing (apart from a single line) of the "in-between" people, the "Coloureds", mixed-race folk who were largely drafted into the Rhodesian Army to be used as bait. (A few of these gained residency in Australia on the strength of this reasoning, but the Australian government insisted on photos to show evidence of a substantial fraction of "Whiteness" in such prospective migrants!)I know this book received quite a bit of publicity, hence it's success. But I'd urge readers of this work to read two other (less publicized) books that *didn't* leave me as if something was being hidden: "The Toe-Rags" is the first one, a story revolving around a White family, that goes way back to the forties (i.e. way before "Mukiwa"). The next is "Black Fire" by Michael Raeburn, which covers the Rhodesian conflict that led to Zimbabwe. (I think "Black Fire" is being sold by web sites under a different title; check under "Michael Raeburn" anyway.) One more comment: Famous Writer "Doris Lessing", who was deported from Rhodesia as a "Communist" might also have valuable works covering this part of the world. (Funny how people who genuinely care for others are quickly labelled "Communists"!)
Rating:
Summary: An invitation to a very honest book
Review: A wonderful book that gave the reader so much. Mr Godwin was incredibly honest, painfully so at times. You could feel his sinking dispair as the Rhodesia he knew and loved disappeared. He helped the reader understand not only the tribal differences of the indigenous people but also the differences between the white rhodesians and the afrikaans people. It was a fascinating read, one that I could not put down. I felt that this book allowed me a glimpse of what it was like to grow up such a country, its beauty, its originality, and the blowing winds of change. One of those rare books which you really don't want friends asking if they may borrow it - for fear they will never return it!
Rating:
Summary: An accurate memoir of history?! You crazy?
Review: An accurate memoir of the history of Zimbabwe just wouldn't sell; there'd be no market for it. Yes, the writer may well have done his best, but within certain marketing parametres. Anyway, I don't feel like going back to the book for another pass so's to write a more detailed analysis. Suffice to say that, while it may not have been candy-coated, it necessarily had to have a fair few lashings of sweet stuff to make it palatable to ... well, for a start to the tens of thousands of former Rhodesians who'd want this book featuring on their bookshelves, along with "Flame Things of Thika" ... To those who disagree, go forth and enjoy your fairy tale world. Because I sure wish I had one too.
Rating:
Summary: Honest, exciting and well-written
Review: An unflinching look at the author's experiences growing up white in Africa. His accounts are riveting and straight-forward and not suffocated by too much introspection and guilt. Godwin takes his readers from his idyllic childhood, to his role as a soldier fighting to maintain white rule in the civil war, to his experiences covering the country as a "foreign" journalist. Not only does the book offer tremendous insight into Rhodesia / Zimbabwe, but it is a thoroughly entertaining read as well. I strongly recommend this book to everyone - one of the best African books I have read yet.
Rating:
Summary: And now, with the WTC event, the world is now one big Rhod..
Review: And now, with the WTC event, the world is now one big Rhodesia. You know it's true! Rhodesia, in fact the whole of Southern Africa, is still divided (like the world divided) into rich white areas and poor black areas. The blacks wanted the land we'd stolen back & with a fight they got it back (in many cases there *were* suicide attacks when fighting with our helicopters etc which they never had). But I'm sorry to say that the black people the world over have not really won back what the White man still steals and siphons away from them. I know how it was on my parents' farm ... the workers considered my Mom as a compasionate and caring mom to them too. We got to understand them ... and that understanding now bears relevance to what will now be a world-wide "terrorism" problem. Its a wonder that African blacks have not realized that their new government (Mugabe's) can never really improve their lot--doing so would be at the expence of foreign-owned businesses (making huge profits from penny a day labor) that operate there. Mugabe is a puppet who's been comfortable in his puppet state, as long as he can steal from zimbabwe too. Soon the African blacks will realize that the real problem lies in foreign hands in foreign lands; in structures such as the World Trade Centre. As soon as this happens, the *real* fire-work display will happen. May God love you and keep you all.
Rating:
Summary: A Patriot's Lamentful Memoir
Review: Even though Mr. Godwin is the consumate ex-pat, he will never be anything but a Mukiwa/Zimbabwean in his heart. In an age of pervasive political correctness (pc), it it so very refreshing to read a book that speaks from the head and heart with equal patronage, distilling all the pc off the top, and assigning it to the literary land fill where it belongs. Mr. Godwin is right on point with regard to the Mugabe pc, as evidenced by the
tactics that Mugabe and his hencemen are employing as I write this, in the current 2002 election campaign. Fraud is fraud, black or white, and Mr. Godwin illustrates this point so well.
Further, he exposes the good and bad of european rule, examines the concept of duty, and handles the affairs of his family with honor and love. This book is for all people, all races, all time.
And in the ultimate salute, Mr. Godwin is kind of person who I would love to share a pint with, and have a good chat up. Well done Sir.
Rating:
Summary: A Patriot's Lamentful Memoir
Review: Even though Mr. Godwin is the consumate ex-pat, he will never be anything but a Mukiwa/Zimbabwean in his heart. In an age of pervasive political correctness (pc), it it so very refreshing to read a book that speaks from the head and heart with equal patronage, distilling all the pc off the top, and assigning it to the literary land fill where it belongs. Mr. Godwin is right on point with regard to the Mugabe pc, as evidenced by the
tactics that Mugabe and his hencemen are employing as I write this, in the current 2002 election campaign. Fraud is fraud, black or white, and Mr. Godwin illustrates this point so well.
Further, he exposes the good and bad of european rule, examines the concept of duty, and handles the affairs of his family with honor and love. This book is for all people, all races, all time.
And in the ultimate salute, Mr. Godwin is kind of person who I would love to share a pint with, and have a good chat up. Well done Sir.
Rating:
Summary: Brings back great memories, a truly wonderful book.
Review: Even though this book was about Rhodesia/Zimbabwe it brought back many wonderful memories, small things that I had forgotten of my life growing up in South Africa. It also reminded me of the darker side of human nature that I had been exposed to growing up. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to get an idea of what it is like to grow up as a white person in Africa.
Rating:
Summary: Brings back tremendous memories.
Review: Fantastic book by Peter Godwin, he accurately captures the life and tragedies of Rhodesia in the 70's and 80's. I was there at the time and it brings back many wonderful and sad memories of the time. A must read.
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