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13th out of 115 books
—
32 voters
Something Of Value
by
Robert Ruark
Something of Value is a novel based on events that took place in Kenya Colony during the violent Mau Mau insurrection of the 1950s, an uprising that was confined almost exclusively to members of the Kikuyu tribe. It is a powerful, gripping, and sometimes shocking novel that presents an enlightening glimpse into the lives of all sections of the population in Colonial Kenya.
Hardcover, 1st edition, 565 pages
Published
1955
by Doubleday & Co
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A surprising account of the Mau Mau Rebellion in British Kenya in the early 1950's. Why is it surprising? Mainly because it's brutal in it's accounting of atrocities committed by both the Blacks and Whites.I didn't expect that from a mainstream novel published in the mid-1950's. The book doesn't pull any punches and it doesn't let either side off. The book makes it clear both sides are to blame.
However, as another reviewer has pointed out, Ruark does write mostly from the white farmer's point of...more
However, as another reviewer has pointed out, Ruark does write mostly from the white farmer's point of...more
May 16, 2013
John Rouse
added it
Robert Ruark, a journalist and writer of some success came to Kenya in 1949 to go on hunting safari. While there he became a close friend of the famed white hunter Harry Selby who owned a 40,000 acre cattle ranch in the White Highlands near Mt Kenya. During the next six years he went back several times and was a firsthand witness to the beginning of the Mau Mau rebellion and State of Emergency which began in 1952 up until the eventual suppression of the rebellion in 1956. The violence of the reb...more
On my second visit to Kenya in 2005 my cab driver told me how his grandfather fought for the British against German Askers as a soldier in the Kings African Rifles during WWI. His father and uncle then went off to fight for England in Burma during WWII. Being trained seasoned soldiers they were interned by the British sometime after the war after they had returned to Kenya. A visit to Mount Kenya – the land the Mau Mau was fought over intrigued me and reading this book, plus its sequel Uhuru pla...more
Feb 27, 2010
DoctorM
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
hearts-of-darkness,
historical-fiction
Ruark's "Something of Value" appeared in 1955, just at the end of the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya. I read it as a young boy and found it both exhilarating in its depiction of late-colonial Kenya and horrifying in its account of the Mau Mau and their atrocities. These days, of course, the Mau Mau are regarded as nationalist freedom fighters (though of course the vast majority of their victims were non-Kikuyu black Africans) and it's the British and their internment camps rather than the Mau Mau wi...more
This book was published in 1955, so the MauMau period in Kenya that it covers was contemporary at the time. That's the only excuse I can make for this hysterical, fear mongering and racist book. While Ruark depicts plenty of explicit, bloody violence on both sides, the white settlers only become violence in response to the primitive treachery of the "natives." If you want to know something true about this period, two recent non-fiction books are helpful: "Histories of the Hanged" by David Anders...more
I was recomended this book by somebody and thought it was going to be a politically incorrect (honest) account of the communist funded Mau Mau revolution in Kenya. What it actually is, is a historical fiction account of it. I was truly blown away by this book. Even though it doesn't always portray the whites in a very good light idiots would say this book is racist because it shows the utter brutality and ignorant superstions of the blacks. These days you are only allowed to show the bad side of...more
This gives a very different view of the uprising. The main theme is the wish to retain tribal customs. Foremost is the universal circumsicm of 14 year old children. After the "ceremony" they were sent aside from the village for a period, to feed and otherwise fend for themselves while healing took place. Those who returned after the requisite period of time were welcomed as adults.
This custom is among the causes that is being brought to the world's attention now. Perhaps if the British had been...more
This custom is among the causes that is being brought to the world's attention now. Perhaps if the British had been...more
Historical fictions are my favorite form of reading and they don't get better than "Something of Value". It is an extremely well written and historically accurate story; something all historical fictions should seek to be.
It takes place in Africa (Kenya), just after WWII, when the whole face of Africa was changing, after the British colonial period was losing its grip on the region. The relationship between the white colonials and the native Africans, which had developed an uncomfortable peace...more
It takes place in Africa (Kenya), just after WWII, when the whole face of Africa was changing, after the British colonial period was losing its grip on the region. The relationship between the white colonials and the native Africans, which had developed an uncomfortable peace...more
When I was a kid my Dad watched this movie about
19 times so by default, did we. My Mom eventually made
fun of seeing it yet again.
Years later I saw the book on a friend's shelf so
I read it. It is a good read; many insights into
Kenyan customs. A lot of Swahili is used so if you
follow along with the supplied dictionary in the
back, you'll have a basic knowledge, comes in handy
later for crossword puzzles.
This book was phenomenal. Although a work of fiction, it has been said that this book is very true to the time of the Mau Mau uprising in Africa in the middle of the 20th century. Impeccably researched and beautifully written. Not a book for the faint of heart and not something that will make you feel happy; but, it will make you feel and stay with you for a very long time.
A slice of raw South African history, definatly not for the thinskined PC reader,or faint of heart.A real look at the thoughts of two oposing cultures,the start of all wars,the predictions of the fate of south Africa aluded to in the book are all too real, and this is woven into a great story.
Racist and sexist - a book that could never be published in this day and age. The women are there to look pretty , have babies and pour their handsome men another drink. The "wogs" as they are called so often are there to do as they are told or take their punishment - be it a kick in the pants or tortured to death. The animals are there to be slaughtered for trophies or to clear the land for the white farmers.
The settler regime in Kenya was probably the most openly racist one in the British empi...more
The settler regime in Kenya was probably the most openly racist one in the British empi...more
In nl: Iets van waarde
Sterk epos dat een scherp beeld schetst van Afrika ten tijde van het Mau Mau conflict ahv het leven van twee vrienden. Een blanke en een zwarte wiens leven op een schrijnende manier beinvloed wordt door de geschiedenis.
Spannend en leerrijk.
Sterk epos dat een scherp beeld schetst van Afrika ten tijde van het Mau Mau conflict ahv het leven van twee vrienden. Een blanke en een zwarte wiens leven op een schrijnende manier beinvloed wordt door de geschiedenis.
Spannend en leerrijk.
This is a reread for me... great book and author.. Robert Ruark.. second time, always better
About..Kenya.. the Mau Mau uprising in with a real good story about two blood brothers ( kids )
then into adulthood..
Great book revolving around the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya that led to a post-colonial government. It's a work of fiction but captures the spirit of life in Kenya at that time.
Read this book as a boy , and really enjoyed it ! One of my first "transitionary" reads from Famous Five and Hardy Boys to" grown up" novels !
A true classic capturing the tumult and tension of the Mau Mau revolt. Ruark is one the most under-appreciated authors of his era.
Very good so far, the book is hard to find and expensive. My really old copy fell into pieces causing it to remain unread.
Good story about the "Mau Mau" days in Kenya in the 50's. The mad a BW movie from it in 1957 starring Rock Hudson.
Can't put it down. Terrifying to think this piece of historical fiction is based on reality.
A very early read for me. Wonderful, heart stirring memories. The title still grabs me.
Dad reading, what. Horrible time. Cruelty of man to each other is amazing
It stays with you, long after the last page has been read
Maybe my favorite fiction book
One of my top ten favorite books.
Terry Hood. Kenya --
One of the four or five best books I've ever read. The ending was dynamite! Had a couple of the most appealing characters I've ever run across. Story of Mau-Mau in Central Africa. Wow!
Silly
My husband suggested this book about the Mau Mau rebellion and I was initially reluctant. However, Ruark is a brilliant writer and immerses you in colonial Africa and the struggle between the natives and colonials. One of my all time favorites. It has some intense parts, but well worth the read.
A great read about how lives were completely changed by "the winds of change" in colonial Africa. I felt it could have been edited down to a 300 page book as in places it was a bit long winded. Well worth a read if you are interested in the change from European rule to Indigenous rule.
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Robert Ruark was an author and syndicated columnist.
Born Robert Chester Ruark, Jr., to Charlotte A. Ruark and Robert C. Ruark, a bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery, young Ruark attended local schools and graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. He graduated from high school at age 12 and entered the University of North Carolina at age 15. The Ruark family was deeply af...more
More about Robert Ruark...
Born Robert Chester Ruark, Jr., to Charlotte A. Ruark and Robert C. Ruark, a bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery, young Ruark attended local schools and graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. He graduated from high school at age 12 and entered the University of North Carolina at age 15. The Ruark family was deeply af...more
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“When we take away from a man his traditional way of life, his customs, hi religion, we had better make certain to replace it with
SOMETHING OF VALUE”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
SOMETHING OF VALUE”
Feb 13, 2009 07:48pm