Bøger af Rory Johnston

In the 1980s, an era of political turmoil sweeps over Africa, offering opportunity for those who can move with the flow-not always for the better. Among those taking advantage of shifting political alliances are international rhino poachers who begin the rapid eradication of one of Africa's most magnificent animals for their horns, much sought-after ingredients in Chinese and Vietnamese medicine. Colin and Annika Somerset manage a photo safari operation on behalf of the local BaTonga people in the remote Zambezi valley. The two have dedicated their lives to wildlife conservation, especially rhinos. Threatening Colin and Annika's happiness-and very lives-is Justin Charimba, an old enemy who has his own life ambition: the utter destruction of the Somersets. Now a member of Zimbabwe's dreaded 5th Brigade, Charimba exerts his influence over a large swath of land, including the Somerset's Katambora Safari Ranch. He's ready to move against Colin and Annika, and if he happens to profit from the deaths of their beloved rhinos, well, that makes revenge all the sweeter. A rousing Southern African adventure novel reminiscent of Wilbur Smith's early works, Katambora Sunset brings Rory Johnston's Katambora trilogy to an exciting close.

In the darkest days of World War II, as the German forces swelled all the more ferociously, one man used his wit and audacity where his rank fell perilously short. With German General Wilhelm Daser and his men firmly planted in Middleburg in Holland, Major Hugh Johnston of the Royal Scots Regiment managed to alter the course of their occupation with little more than a hoodwink. After all, he had the love of his life, his wife Mary Kate, anxiously awaiting his return. A Major Hoodwink: How a Royal Scot Outwitted a German General is the spellbinding story of two people who met while studying in Edinburgh, Scotland, tracing their life together through the build up and reality of World War II, while also revealing how they managed to survive. A portrayal of the determination it took to succeed in these trying times, this stirring work of historical nonfiction written by their son Rory Johnston recounts the defining moment in his parent's lives, and how they did what was necessary to protect the British way of life against the evils of Nazism. After discovering a cache of letters between his father and mother in a secretaire in 2012, Johnston was able to piece together the remarkable circumstances of the Royal Scots' invasion of the Dutch fortress of Walcheren, when German forces two-thousand-men strong met with Allied ranks of a mere one hundred and forty. Referencing Major Johnston's letters to his beloved wife while enlisted, A Major Hoodwink: How a Royal Scot Outwitted a German General also provides a new understanding of the essential role played by the 7th/9th Royal Scots in WWII, as well as the role of the Dutch Resistance. A rigorously researched, deeply felt account of a military event that was in many ways as seminal as D Day, this absorbing testament to the triumph over evil will resonate with anyone who has an interest in military affairs or simply revels in a romance that survived a chaotic world.

Rory Johnston traveled to some of Africa's most remote regions as a child on safari with his parents. He grew up in the safari business and led expeditions throughout the remote countryside, nurturing his passion for adventure. That passion is evident in his writing, as Johnston pens books like Katambora Rising, the second in a series of novels centered on protagonist Colin Somerset. While fictional, it depicts the real-life tragedy of ivory and rhino horn poaching that threatens the extinction of Africa's prized animals. Katambora Rising continues the story of Colin's dedication to the Zambezi River valley and its BaTonga people. Despite a grenade attack that nearly destroyed his Katambora Safari Ranch, he remains steadfast in his determination to change his family's business from hunting to photographic safaris. Colin is looking forward to his upcoming wedding, but little does he know that danger is lurking. The local military struck a deal for arms in return for ivory-lots of it. The area is now being patrolled by the Selous Scouts, an exclusive fighting force whose newest member Colin knows. It's Justin Charimba, the same man jailed for nearly destroying Colin's ranch-and he's back for revenge.

Author Rory Johnston has spent a great amount of time in Africa, and has a deep respect and appreciation for its landscape, peoples, and wildlife. He grew up in the safari business, and, as a child, accompanied his parents on trips to some of the most remote and rarely visited regions of the continent. Sure to remind you of an earlier age of innocence in writing, The Sands of Katambora is a sentimental story about overcoming obstacles and pursuing a greater good. It will touch your heart, excite your senses, and open your eyes not only to the beauty of the African landscape, but also to the ways wildlife and wild spaces are affected by human behavior. Pursuing his passion for exploration and adventure, Johnston has planned and led numerous expeditions throughout Africa during his lifetime, and still returns there several times a year, even though he currently resides across the globe in Houston, Texas. Another way Johnston revisits Africa is through writing-and it is through his writing that he has found a way to continue to help others explore the motherland and learn more about its natural treasures. The Sands of Katambora takes readers on a tour of Africa that follows a fictional storyline made rich by an extensive amount of factual information. A tale that could only be told by someone so familiar with Africa, and so invested in its past, present, and future, it showcases an exquisite landscape and ecosystem that hangs in a delicate balance, while also promoting conservation and telling an incredibly compelling story wrought with love, betrayal, and conflict. The story is set in Central Africa, along the Zambezi River, and introduces readers to the BaTonga people, who worship the River God, Nyaminyami. A dragon-like creature with a snake torso and a fish-shaped head, the BaTonga believe she controls their lives, and she is rumored to cast a spell on anyone who sets foot in the valley. And so it was that Colin Somerset fell under her spell, and was bound to Nyaminyami for his entire life and throughout all of his endeavors. After first coming to the valley at age five, he dedicated himself to improving the quality of life for her beloved BaTonga people, and to protecting the land and wildlife held under her dominion. In exchange for employment opportunities, the BaTonga had opened a portion of their land to hunting operations managed by the Somerset family. But when Colin comes into a position of power within the family, he becomes concerned with the long-term effects of the operations on the land, wildlife, and people, and is determined to convert to a more conservation-minded venture. Set on transforming his family's business from hunting safaris to photographic safaris, Colin encounters tremendous struggles, opposition, and resistance from those around him, and experiences turmoil in his own personal relationships. But under Nyaminyami's spell, whether figuratively or literally, his commitment is unwavering, and it sets the pace for this highly intelligent and insightful novel.

Growing up, Rory was a rebellious, imaginative, spiritual, and lonely child. While he had his family around him, he had very few friends. However, what Rory did have was Africa. His parents left a ravaged, post-World War II Europe with Rory's two brothers before he was born. Rory began his life in East London, South Africa, and left for Southern Rhodesia when he was two years old. Without his family's shared memories of Europe, Rory would be shaped into a man by his new and shocking African surroundings. From the moment the family arrived, Rory realized that he was completely infatuated with nature. That infatuation coupled with being on perhaps the most natural continent on the planet led to a unique childhood full of introspection and appreciation for his surroundings. Whether it was watching the wildlife in his back yard or escaping to "The Rock," a huge granite boulder that was his home away from home, Rory's view of the world around him was profoundly impacted by the spirituality and all-encompassing power of nature he witnessed daily. Growing Up in Africa: A Short Story of Self Discovery in an Age of Innocence tells the charming story of a young boy and his journey to self-discovery through his interactions with the unique aspects of African life. From safaris to cobra encounters and schoolyard fights to kissing parties, his life was normal enough to get by yet exciting enough to truly stand out. Everyone has their own coming-of-age tale, but very few have the remarkable setting and unique circumstances that Rory did. Filled with adventure, introspection, and a subtle spirituality, Growing Up in Africa is an enjoyable tale of adolescent adventure and discovery.