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Something of Value (1955)

by Robert Ruark

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2667100,413 (4.13)15
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 fifty years ago.… (more)
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» See also 15 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 7 (next | show all)
This book is well written, but I would not recommend it unless a person is really interested in the Mau Mau uprising. Much detail is given to provide the reader a picture of Kenya, and the dynamics between the British and African peoples, and even between the various tribes themselves. Rightfully so, and necessary; but for me the interest was not that great - I expected more action, I suppose, but that is not the author's fault.

Again, well written, but I got a lot of the background from Ruark's "Horn of the Hunter" which I read previously. It was what led me to this book, and I would recommend it. ( )
  rjdycus | Dec 19, 2022 |
I first read this book as a 17 year old matric student and have subsequently re-read it twice more. Amazing how he had the foresight to predict the violence and desire for land which the white man had "stolen"from the local population. What has changed today? The local population is still violent and fighting to take back "
stolen" land, farmers are still being murdered and gender violence is rife. Well written, Robert Ruark. ( )
  dannN | Dec 29, 2019 |
A harrowing but broadly accurate retelling of the Mau Mau emergency. Very well written and chilling in the extreme. ( )
1 vote AlaricBond | Jul 30, 2010 |
A difficult read and amazing it has been re-released in 2009. Reading in the 1960's who would have believed the struggle for Africa would be just as important now.
  shazjhb | Jan 5, 2010 |
A frightening fictionalized account of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya. This story has stayed with me since I read it well over a decade ago. ( )
  clamato | Nov 10, 2008 |
Showing 1-5 of 7 (next | show all)
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Epigraph
If a man does away with his traditional way of living and
throws away his good customs, he had  better first make
certain that he has something of value to replace them.
-------Basuto proberb.
Dedication
This is for
Virginia Webb Ruark,
with all my love.
First words
Peter McKenzie stripped off his faded shorts and his green drill shirt and reached for a bowl of ocher mud which had been softened to a pliant paste with water.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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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 fifty years ago.

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This is a story of the crushing of the Mau Mau revolt in Africa in mid 20th century.
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