By Blood We Rise and Fall

This book is a fascinating mixture of real history interwoven into an intriguing story that started in mid 17th century France and ultimately moving on to modern day Africa.
Part 1 follows the journey of two Huguenot families escaping persecution in France to the Cape Colony in Africa. It is set in the period from the mid-1600s to the late 1900s.
Following the loss by the Dutch of its war against England, the Cape Colony became a British Colony. Dutch and Huguenot settlers migrate north to escape British rule in what was called the Great Trek. Ultimately, the descendants of the two families migrate to Rhodesia.
After a disagreement with the tyrant King of the Zulus, Shaka, his general Mzilikazi, escapes with 500 of his men. He founds the Matabele kingdom in present day Zimbabwe.
The northward migration of both parties causes ongoing tensions between the settlers and the Matabele, resulting in wars.
The novel moves the reader through the early history of Rhodesia, which led to a declaration of independence from Britain.
The last few chapters give readers an experience of the Rhodesian Bush War.
Part 2 continues the story of Daniel and Peter. Daniel wants to become a lawyer to right the wrongs he believes have been inflicted on his people by the white colonisers. His school teacher convinces him that he can arrange a university education. Instead, he is abducted and is trained as a terrorist. He returns to his country and uses his skills to fight the invaders of his land.
Peter fulfils his ambition to be a pilot, flying a combat helicopter against the country's enemies who are seeking to overthrow the government. Often flying into action, with only a Perspex windscreen to protect him, he has to learn to control his fear.
This is the story of boys forced into different sides of a war, pawns of the architects of the conflict, Cecil Rhodes, Robert Mugabe and other nationalists, Ian Smith the Rhodesian Prime Minister and his nemesis, British PM Harold Wilson.
As the two become men and seek their destinies, they become adversaries in an unconventional conflict that causes significant loss of life and injuries, untold misery and results in the devastation of a country
The terrorist and the pilot meet several times on opposing sides of the Rhodesian Bush War determined to prevail. On one side, a terrorist skilled in terrorising the population using hit and run tactics. On the other, a highly skilled pilot flying a highly manoeuvrable aircraft with significant speed, armament and height advantages.
Both find their life partners who help the men to question their beliefs.
Part 3 continues the saga of the two men. After the war, we meet Peter and Daniel again as fully grown and married men. They meet up after independence and agree that together, blacks and whites in the country could get rid of the Zimbabwe dictator and his followers, but with no need for war to do that. This time, they are not on opposite sides of the political divide. Their connection is their love for their country. This time, their adversary is the man who came to power in 1980 and is destroying their country, its people and its economy, while he and his cronies are living high and mighty on the wealth they plunder. Plans are soon afoot to right the wrongs and turn the tables.
Peter and Daniel, their wives and a small team have a cunning plan. They get control of the dictator's international properties by deception. They record a fake speech which is broadcast instead of the live one given by the dictator. In this fake speech, listeners hear a confession of the dictator's fraudulent use of treasury funds, election fraud and genocide.
All they need is a little ingenuity, luck and the courage to see their plans come to fruition.

Peter was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
He is passionate about Africa, its wildlife, people and landscape. In retirement, he is a part-time professional photographer and the author of three books in the series, 'The Great Trek North', 'We Brothers' and 'Justice Will Be Done.' His latest novel is The Pride of a Nation.
He loves Africa with a passion and still considers it home. He has been a regular visitor to Zimbabwe, honeymooning there with his wife and touring the country with his adult children.
He emigrated to Australia in 1978 to take up an engineering position in Sydney. He now lives in Adelaide, South Australia.