The British Empire Library


White Man's Drum - Tales Of The East African Bundu

And

Drums Of Rebellion - Kenya In Chaos

by J Gordon Mumford


Courtesy of OSPA


Michael R A Hotton (Tanganyika 1954-58, Kenya 1958-83)
Gordon Mumford relates in the first two books of his trilogy the story of five men "Mac's Boys" who braved dangers and hardships to pioneer the first VHP system, the Marconi-48 channel at a power of 10 watts, which was to be the backbone of the Trunk and Teleprinter Network which served the then, three territories of East Africa. This system would also open up faster and better communications to the outside world.

The stories cover the period from 1949 to 1958. Living under canvas in remote areas, their survey took them on safaris ranging from the deserts of the Northern Frontier district to the heavy seasonal rains, heat, red dust and cold of East Africa's game plains and highest mountains. They faced weather extremes, wild animals and armed terrorists as well.

The stories are well written "personal accounts" in the style of Edward Rodwell of Mombasa Coast Causerie fame. Gordon has paid strict attention to geographical detail, solid technical research and a vivid imagination, coupled with the creative use of Swahili in his dialogue, making the two books very African and honest; they tell of things the way they were. Gordon or "little Jim" is a very talented writer. I recommend these reasonably priced books to any lover of East Africa who would like to add to his knowledge of Africa and VHP communications.

British Empire Book
Author
J Gordon Mumford
Published
2004
Pages
198
Publisher
Zebra Publishing House
ISBN
0 9736297 0 3
Availability
Abebooks
Amazon
British Empire Book
Author
Gillian Bickley
Published
2005
Pages
118
Publisher
Zebra Publishing House
ISBN
962 85570 2 5
Availability
Abebooks
Amazon


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