New book recounts memories of growing-up in African bush
Posted by John Malloy on 09/27/2010
Join Alan D. Clifton for a book reading and signing of his newly released memoir
At the tender age of eleven, Alan D. Clifton sailed across the ocean to Africa. The year was 1939, and Great Britain was evacuating children at the onset of the Second World War. For the next ten years, Clifton lived in Northern Rhodesia attending boarding school, exploring the bush and learning about African culture.
In his first book, From Cockney to Colonial (and Back Again): The Memoirs of Alan Clifton, Clifton shares his adventures through the eyes of his childhood self. The lively account offers readers a glimpse into the experience of a young English boy adjusting to a new way of life in Africa.
“I was extremely fortunate to be evacuated to a place like Northern Rhodesia. I had experiences that many children only dream of having,” said Clifton. “I’d shared these experiences with my son, and he encouraged me to write them down for the grandchildren. We wanted to ensure that my grandchildren learned about the Second World War and my adventures in Africa.”
Written with young readers in mind, Clifton keeps the book’s content light and exciting. He recounts confrontations with snakes, crocodiles and warrior ants. Clifton shares his memories in rich detail, depicting the African landscape, his thoughts and feelings in honest detail.
In addition to reading From Cockney to Colonial (and Back Again) for pure enjoyment, Clifton hopes both children and adult readers will recognize a constant theme that runs throughout the book – the acceptance of others, no matter how different they initially seem.
“Luckily, I was given more freedom to play with native kids because I lived in the bush. It was not the same in town. Because I spent much of my time in the bush, I was able to grow up seeing African nature and culture first hand. I hope that readers will learn that the colour of another’s skin isn’t important. It’s who they are inside that counts,” said Clifton.
The Collingwood Public Library invites the public to attend a book signing for From Cockney to Colonial (and Back Again): The Memoirs of Alan Clifton, on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At the event, Clifton will read passages from his book and copies will be available for purchase.
The Collingwood Public Library is committed to providing high quality information services to our customers, while striving to exceed evolving needs. At the heart of the community, the Collingwood Public Library strives for inclusivity and universal accessibility.
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