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African Whiteboy: A Memoir
by Ian Watson
300 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); includes map; catalogue #05-3090; ISBN 1-4120-8093-2; US$20.94, C$20.94, EUR14.30, £10.81
A fascinating true story of a white boy's thoughts and adventures growing up in the dark years of African apartheid, and of his daring escape to the American dream.
About the Book
Apartheid triggered more than just a bitter struggle between Blacks and Whites; it pitted Afrikaner against 'Englishman', Afrikaner against Jew, and even, in odd cases, Afrikaners against each other.
This is a true story of an English-speaking white boy - half-Jewish - reared with liberal views in the dark shadows of racial and ethnic turmoil. But although rage-filled and tragic, it is not all sad. It is not, as the author says, 'without humor, or inimitable characters, or leaps of grand adventure.' He survives and even prospers in strange Africa, but elects to join an old wooden sailboat in a daring bid for the American dream. The USA deports him, but he relentlessly persists.
For photographs that illustrate this book, please visit:www.africanwhiteboy.com.
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About the Author
Ian - Professor Emeritus Watson - was born in South Africa and grew up there. He worked as an exploration geologist for the diamond colossus De Beers, and subsequently received his Ph.D. from the Royal School of Mines in London where, as a Rio Tinto-Zinc Scholar, he studied under Sir John Knill, scientific advisor to the British Prime Minister. He presently conducts research on five continents, but proudly calls the United States home.
A Meeting of Cultures: A Recent African Safari. Three young Himba herders had recognized Oom Jan, and shyly made their way to a fire still burning from the previous night. Oom Jan extended them a greeting, but as a courtesy let them warm themselves and slowly settle in before addressing them. Several of my companions looked on with interest, utterly fascinated by the primitive appearance of these bushveld semi-nomads.
Oom Jan leaned forward in his chair and a conversational exchange slowly emerged in a native language. It was clear from its intimate tone, and the quiet smiles that accompanied it, that he held these cattle keepers, young as they were, in high esteem, and that the honor was reciprocated.
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