About the Author Christina Lamb is an award-winning journalist who, since graduating from Oxford twelve years ago, has lived overseas as a correspondent for the Financial Times in Pakistan and Brazil, a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, and correspondent for the Sunday Times in South Africa. A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, she is an inveterate traveller. Her previous book, Waiting for Allah: Pakistan's Struggle for Democracy, was published by Hamish Hamilton and Penguin. She is currently Foreign Affairs Correspondent for the Sunday Times and lives with her husband and young son in London and Portugal. Read more
N**W
Fascinating
Fascinating book about the history of Zambia in the 1900's. The true story of one man's attempt to recreate England in Africa failed, but played a major role in shaping the politics of the country and the continent.
S**R
especially for people who love Africa and her people
A fascinating book, especially for people who love Africa and her people! I was totally gripped by his story and now am hoping to go and visit Shiwa Ngandu later this year. What an interesting man with a great spirit; so energetic to have achieved so much against all odds, during his lifetime!
C**E
The Africa House - An obsession that would finally destroy and kill loved ones.
For those interested in Colonial history and decolonization, this is a MUST Read. However, it is also a love story and perhaps a familiar one where age differences may eventually count. Having been born in Northern Rhodesia, and also departing after independence in 1966 as a 13 year old helped me understand "the winds of change". However, in order to write the story and access the source material from the family, it is my opinion that Stewart Gore Browne, may have been treated too kindly by the author. There is an aspect to his relationship with his Aunt and her continued financial support, that is perhaps to be "read between the lines". All in all, a very interesting and good read.
R**H
Understanding a complicated man
I tracked this book down after seeing a picture of Shiwa House, an abandoned English country estate in the heart of Northern Africa on some website. It turns out that it was built between the two world wars by Sir Gordon Stewart Brown on a declining inheritance that went unusually far in the wreckage of British imperialism. This twenty-room mansion stood self-sufficient with modern amenities and its owner spent his days hunting rhinoceros and reading the classics in Latin from a fully stocked library.Of course this fantasy came at a great cost, he lost his family and most of his fortune in the process and when he died it was almost immediately left to be reclaimed by the continent. What I always take from these books is how we moralists sit back and judge the consequences of these driven or compelled men, tsking at Hearst for his preposterous visions of some West Coast Castle and yet we have no problem admiring or enjoying the results of their labors. The fact of the matter is that many great things come from their dispute against reality. Perhaps it is not my path, but I have some empathy for it.
B**H
... ago and decided to get a copy for a good friend. Excellent
read this book years ago and decided to get a copy for a good friend. Excellent book
A**R
Incredible story. Lovers of history must read.
Incredible story. Lovers of history must read.
B**P
Fantastic
Fantastic book, I have read it several times now. Just an amazing story about an amazing place. If you have any interest in colonial Africa this one has to be in your collection. Hopefully Shiwa continues to last for generations.
A**N
It gives a good insight into colonial Northern Rhodesia and the struggle for ...
A fascinating story of one man,s dream to create an English mans 'castle' in Africa. Well researched and entertaining. It gives a good insight into colonial Northern Rhodesia and the struggle for change.
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4 days ago
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