Soaring On African Wings

About the Book

The prologue of this autobiography gives an idea of the flowing, almost esoteric, prose and original poetry which surfaces throughout the story.

A highly authentic and richly textured account is given of life as a white English- speaking youngster raised in rural South Africa during the 1960's and 1970's. A vivid account is given of life in the military, duty in the jungles of the Caprivi on the Zambesi river and political awareness attained at Law School. Employment as a banker,salesman, cabdriver, wine-maker, goldminer, labourer, legal man. Surviving encounters with knifemen, wild animals and beautiful women. The South American diary chronicles an extraordinary backpacking/cycling saga, taking the reader from the jungles of the Amazon into the lives of the vibrant South American people in the raw 1980's.

Travelling, teaching English and experiencing the rich cultures of Greece, South Korea, and Thailand. Unforgettable experiences in Laos and the Philippines. Near death in Taiwan. There is true depth and honesty in the writing which is easy to read and digest, with real humour and pathos presented in the telling. The strong friendships that are formed, and the life lessons that are learned, are presented with love for the people and increasing self-knowledge.

The writer keeps the reader entranced by skillfully juxtaposing different periods in time, thereby establishing a theme of motion which never lets up.

About the Author

The author, an English-speaking South African of European descent, was raised in a succession of small towns in the apartheid era from the 1950's to the 1970's. He was drafted into the army and sent to the Caprivi on the Zambian border in a Special Services Battalion in 1974.

After attending law school, he ultimately graduated through a distance learning course in the early 80's while persuing some highly unusual career choices until he discovered his one true passion - international travel by any means possible.

In 1986 he visited South America, an epic tale of backpacking and cycling. On his return he 'hung out' and briefly went AWOL from the Army, fleeing to England.

In the 90's he was able to incorporate travel into his way of life, teaching English in Greece, Korea, and Thailand. He almost died in Taiwan as a result of a massive and totally unexpected bout of ill-health.

The author is a man who has exchanged the security of a safe corporate job for the thrills and uncertainties of a lifetime `on the road'.