"I am convinced that many of the events in Disciples of Fortune have strong historical bearings. It is easy to see that many of the scenes were created around historical occurrences and used as a backdrop for the purpose of fiction. There are persons who took part in events similar to those described in the book, which makes it possible that some may be mistaken for characters in the novel. There are non-fictional characters in the novel like the kings mentioned in the story, Ahidjo, Ernest Ouangie and other historical figures. While this book is fiction regarding the details of the story, I am convinced that the story itself is a real one. There are stories of children born to colonialists and the colonized, children who grew up as Africans or Europeans. Some of the European-raised mulattos escaped to Africa when the Fascists rose to power in Europe. Cameroon received several refugees from Europe, some who made the land their home until today. Others quit the country during the chaotic last days of French rule and the mess that was Cameroon after independence. It was those last years of French rule and the horrific murders committed against the nationalist and progressive forces after in the 1960s that forces so many Cameroonians to quit the country. Disciples of Fortune tells a story in the guise of historical fiction to relay the often-ugly facts of life about a nation and people who have been trapped in futility by a system they never opted for.

Also recommended: THE IDIOT, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY

This book made me to laugh and laugh. I enjoyed it from the opening pages until the end. It helped me to loosen up. I liked the sense of humour in the book and the fact that it is so witty. Just like another hilarious book I just read,'THE USURPER AND OTHER STORIES',this is a book to make you unwind
Also recommended: The usurper and other stories, A quiver full of arrows, Collected tales of Nikolai of Gogol

Okonkwo epitomized a die-hard African traditionalist with a firm conviction in the destiny of his people, yet a man who failed to accept the inevitable changes in his world. Things fall apart exposes us to the culture of the Ibo people of Nigeria and brings out the characters to the understandable to the reader. In our own little ways, we are like Okonkwo, caught in a world where we have little influence. The lesson is that No matter how powerful we are, we should not impose our wills on others, especially a will that reflects our egos and not the interest of humanity. Clash of cultures is what this book tells us about. Just like in The Usurper and Other Stories.

Also recommended: The Usurper and Other Stories, Mission to kala, The Old man and the Medal.

It is a blessing for a booklover to come across a story which is so deep like Cry the beloved country. The characters are dissected and made so real. The plot is awesome and the pace of the story is fast moving. Plotted in the depth of Apartheid South Africa, this story brought out the lamentation of a soul of a nation, a lamentation that is felt by all the different ethnic and racial groups involved. I watched the movie on the story "Amok" and it gave the full visual presentation of the story. I will recommend this book to all booklovers with a curious mind about an era, a people and a nation that stared at disaster straight in the eyes and chose the option of peace.

Also recommended: Disciples of Fortune,Animal farm

Ken Follett has been one of my favorite writers for the past twenty years. I began with the key to Rebecca and was trapped. 'Whiteout' comes close to the other great titles by this author. The setting, plot, dialogue, pace and characters are effective in making this book another great Follett novel. I was kept on the edge through out the story and wasn't altogether happy that it came to the end so fast

Also recommended: DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, THE KEY TO REBECCA

I was given Graceland as a present, and when I looked it over, I thought it would be a book in which the political statements would dominate in the entire the story. But I was wrong. In Graceland, the writer successfully avoided that with his rich characters, fascinating details, fast pace and the emotional expressions of the characters, especially the protagonist. The characters in the story stand very well for themselves. I think GRACELAND is one of the most remarkable novels I have read and surprising enough, it showed that Nigeria has adopted so many things usually thought of as essentially American. Just like DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, GRACELAND encompasses many rich themes.

Also recommended: DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE

"I am convinced that many of the events in Disciples of Fortune have strong historical bearings. It is easy to see that many of the scenes were created around historical occurrences and used as a backdrop for the purpose of fiction. There are persons who took part in events similar to those described in the book, which makes it possible that some may be mistaken for characters in the novel. There are non-fictional characters in the novel like the kings mentioned in the story, Ahidjo, Ernest Ouangie and other historical figures. While this book is fiction regarding the details of the story, I am convinced that the story itself is a real one. There are stories of children born to colonialists and the colonized, children who grew up as Africans or Europeans. Some of the European-raised mulattos escaped to Africa when the Fascists rose to power in Europe. Cameroon received several refugees from Europe, some who made the land their home until today. Others quit the country during the chaotic last days of French rule and the mess that was Cameroon after independence. It was those last years of French rule and the horrific murders committed against the nationalist and progressive forces after in the 1960s that forces so many Cameroonians to quit the country. Disciples of Fortune tells a story in the guise of historical fiction to relay the often-ugly facts of life about a nation and people who have been trapped in futility by a system they never opted for.

I recommend EXODUS, THE DA VINCI CODE

I read this book when I was fourteen, yet the story is still vivid in my mind. Exodus is beyond a literary work. It is more than that. Historical sociological, philosophical in range, it challenges the reader to confront stereotypes, to see reality with another man's eyes and to judge fairly.
Even though the book started slowly, the pace ,plot and challenges intensified with the introduction of the Palestinian Jews. Still I will say that Leon Uris deliberately did that since he was writing the book for the international audience.
The pogroms in Czarist Russia are told, the anti-Semitism that followed the Dreyfus affair in France and Western Europe , which prompted the emergence of the Zionist movement are clearly spelt out as the motivating factor for the creation of a Jewish state. Even holocaust is clearly unveiled as the final catastrophe that made the creation of a Jewish state inevitable.
The book gives a good picture of plight of the Palestinian Jews under the Ottomans and later their struggles against the British in the mandate. It shows the complicated nature of the different peoples in the land, such as the alliances between Druses and Jews, understanding with Bedouin tribes and intra-Jewish differences. Israel's proclamation of independence and defiant victory against the Arab states seeking to annihilate is well written in this book. The characters that enriched the story are brought out to be so lively and natural. Ari Ben Canaan, his uncle Akiva, the rest of the Ben Canaan family, Kitty the American nurse who fell in love with a land and people she had not wanted to know, the angelic Karen, the rebellious, Dov, David and a host of other characters made the plot rich.
However, what struck me about this novel of close to five decades is the author's presentation of the Palestinian refugee problem. Their plight hasn't changed. Who is responsible in a world where so much has changed? What is the solution? I think that while Israel must act in good faith for peace in the Middle East, the Arab States should accept responsibilities too for the refugee problem. The answer is approach. How to approach a tragedy with the intention to heal. I read DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE and was inspired by the people's approach to human disasters. South Africa is another good example

Also recommend DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE

This book made me laugh and laugh. I enjoyed it from the opening pages until the end. It helped me to loosen up. I liked the sense of humour in the book and the fact that it is so witty. Just like another hilarious book I just read-THE USURPER AND OTHER STORIES, this is a book to make you unwind.

I recommend Ward N0 6 and other stories, The Usurper and other stories by Janvier Tisi

It is a blessing for a booklover to come across a story which is so deep like Cry the beloved country. The characters are dissected and made so real. The plot is awesome and the pace of the story is fast moving. Plotted in the depth of Apartheid South Africa, this story brought out the lamentation of a soul of a nation, a lamentation that is felt by all the different ethnic and racial groups involved. I watched the movie on the story "Amok" and it gave the full visual presentation of the story. I will recommend this book to all booklovers with a curious mind about an era, a people and a nation that stared at disaster straight in the eyes and chose the option of peace.

I recommend DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE