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Of Land and Spirits
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia - March 1980. In the pre-dawn gloom, Rhodesian Army units are poised to re-group and attack the assembled forces of Zanla and Zipra. Results of the British-supervised elections are seeping through: an overwhelming vote for Robert Mugabe.
In camps across the country, twenty thousand guerrillas stand to their weapons, waiting for the frantan to come crashing and burning through the trees into hut, trench and bunker. Waiting for the soldiers, pouring down from the sky.
This is the story of the five years leading to the birth of Zimbabwe - the story of Andrew Scott, George Sibanda, Kuretu, Mpehla, Hlomani and many others of the Rhodesian forces as they fight with great skill a war they cannot win. For even as the kills mount, so the numbers of the enemy inside the country grow even larger.
It is also the story of Jason Mavunha and his comrades of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army. Jason joins the Chimurenga - the War of Liberation - after guerrillas have been surprised at his village .... leading to the deaths of his two brothers.
This is the story of a white community wanting to retain its way of life, without realising the effect this is having on their sons who must carry on the fight. Of a black community whose sons serve on both sides, and which suffers reprisal and atrocity.
In camps across the country, twenty thousand guerrillas stand to their weapons, waiting for the frantan to come crashing and burning through the trees into hut, trench and bunker. Waiting for the soldiers, pouring down from the sky.
This is the story of the five years leading to the birth of Zimbabwe - the story of Andrew Scott, George Sibanda, Kuretu, Mpehla, Hlomani and many others of the Rhodesian forces as they fight with great skill a war they cannot win. For even as the kills mount, so the numbers of the enemy inside the country grow even larger.
It is also the story of Jason Mavunha and his comrades of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army. Jason joins the Chimurenga - the War of Liberation - after guerrillas have been surprised at his village .... leading to the deaths of his two brothers.
This is the story of a white community wanting to retain its way of life, without realising the effect this is having on their sons who must carry on the fight. Of a black community whose sons serve on both sides, and which suffers reprisal and atrocity.
408 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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13 people want to read
About the author
Alan R.M. Thrush
4 books4 followersOne-time soldier, father to a London architect and a Johannesburg businesswoman, marketing consultant and educator – Alan’s wide experience of life and human nature comes through clearly in his writing. In particular, his years as an officer (decorated) with the soldiers of a black paratroop battalion in the Zimbabwe-Rhodesian conflict placed him in a unique position to pen 'Of Land and Spirits', widely recognised as the defining novel of the Southern African Bush War.
Keen observation of the after-effects of battle on former combatants led to a follow-up novel, 'A Cross for Two Graves', set in present-day Europe and Africa.
His third novel, 'A Salient in Flanders', takes readers to a different era and the trenches of WW1. It has been acclaimed as one of the most believable accounts of the Great War.
Alan's latest book, the standalone sequel to 'Salient', has just been published.
Keen observation of the after-effects of battle on former combatants led to a follow-up novel, 'A Cross for Two Graves', set in present-day Europe and Africa.
His third novel, 'A Salient in Flanders', takes readers to a different era and the trenches of WW1. It has been acclaimed as one of the most believable accounts of the Great War.
Alan's latest book, the standalone sequel to 'Salient', has just been published.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 10, 2023
Very good stories from various POV
When I lived in South Africa in the early '80's I got to know a few Rhodesians - some had been directly involved in the operations described in the book. The book does a good job of not only describing the combat operations but how the conflict impacted all aspects of the country; young/old, black/white. Really enjoyed the story-lines of the characters - many of whom do not survive the conflict.
When I lived in South Africa in the early '80's I got to know a few Rhodesians - some had been directly involved in the operations described in the book. The book does a good job of not only describing the combat operations but how the conflict impacted all aspects of the country; young/old, black/white. Really enjoyed the story-lines of the characters - many of whom do not survive the conflict.
October 20, 2022
Just sad
Such a sad book so well written it takes you to a place of impossibility how could there ever be a winner and in the end what was the point of it all. And now just look at poor Zimbabwe 40 years later just decimated and all its peoples crying.
Such a sad book so well written it takes you to a place of impossibility how could there ever be a winner and in the end what was the point of it all. And now just look at poor Zimbabwe 40 years later just decimated and all its peoples crying.
August 23, 2024
Long and well- researched account of the Rhodesian Bush War of Independence leading to Zimbabwe.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews