Library Book Reviews

I AM A GIRL FROM AFRICA - A MEMOIR by Elizabeth Nyamayro

This book could not be described as the inevitable “unputdownable” but nonetheless, it is a very interesting read. We meet Elizabeth first at the age of eight living in a Zimbabwe village, which is devastated by drought and famine. Inspired be a United Nations Aid worker who helps her, Elizabeth dedicates herself to giving back to her community, her continent, and the world.

In the decades that have followed, Elizabeth has been instrumental in creating change and uplifting the lives of others: by fighting global inequalities, advancing social justice for vulnerable communities, and challenging the status quo to accelerate women’s rights around the world. She has served as a senior advisor at the United Nations, where she launched HeForShe, one of the world’s largest global solidarity movements for gender equality.

In “I Am a Girl from Africa”, Elizabeth charts this “journey of perseverance” from her small village in Zimbabwe to London; New York; and beyond, always grounded by the African concept of ubuntu—“I am because we are”—taught to her by her beloved grandmother.

This is not an easy read as she tends to become very long winded, but it is a worthwhile and inspiring one, illustrating how the young girl’s determination took her where she wanted to go despite the incredible odds and the ensuing difficulties she experienced in order to reach her destination.

THESE DAYS by Lucy Caldwell

Somehow one does not connect Belfast with World War II German air raids, but nonetheless, they suffered like many others as Lucy Caldwell describes vividly. April 1941. Belfast has escaped the worst of the war - so far. Over the next two months, it will be destroyed from above. Many won’t make it through, and no one who does will remain unchanged. The air raid was all part of Hiltler’s policy to demoralise Britain through imposing suffering on civilians, London, Coventry and the Clydebank raid of Glasgow being other classic examples.

“These Days” follows the lives of sisters Emma and Audrey as they try to survive the horrors of the four nights of devastating bomb attacks during the Belfast Blitz, when air raid shelters received direct hits as did the hospital. Families became split up and children lost. The description of dwellings with their fronts blown off exposing their interiors like giant dolls’ houses is so true. I can well recollect seeing exactly this when Greenock was bombed. From the train one could see entire life-styles exposed, sometimes with pictures still hanging on the walls. I shall never forget always looking out for one little teapot, which remained faithfully on its own shelf, in a bomb-blast kitchen, quite untouched.

“These Days” also recalls to mind the unfailing bravery of the ARP wardens and the Police and how they dealt with finding and extracting those who remained alive in bombed buildings, helping both lost children and frantic parents.

“These Days” is a timeless and heart-breaking novel about living under duress, about family, and about how we try to stay true to ourselves.Simply told and entirely free of morbidity or sentimentality, this book is nothing short of brilliant.

BOOK LAUNCH

“Labour Law & Industrial Relations in Kenya” by Judge Nzioki wa Makau

MCC Member Judge Nzioki wa Makau, author of the recently published book, “Labour Law & Industrial Relations in Kenya” recently gave a talk at the Club about his book.

Written in simple, reader-friendly language, “Labour Law & Industrial Relations in Kenya” offers a comprehensive overview of the current labour laws, as well as the historical perspectives of labour relations and employment law in Kenya, with references to noteworthy case studies.

“Labour Law & Industrial Relations in Kenya” addresses all major areas of labour relations and employment law in sufficient detail to enable readers to attain a broad grasp of the law.

This is a must-have reference book for anyone wrangling with Kenya’s labour laws.

Judge Nzioki wa Makau, is pictured here at his book launch.