Bushcat, the story of John Edmond is a patchwork of vivid Africana, a history trilogy and the story of a man and his music fascinating and informative.
This book embraces Africa from ancient times through pre and post-colonial times. It tells of a childhood spent in both Scotland and Africa, covers Southern African changes and events and chronicles. Edmond’s involvement in the Rhodesian and South African security forces. It also allows some insight into his love of the martial arts , aviation, the great outdoors and the magical world of music; his overriding passion.
The evocative writing is laced with the lyrics of many of the songs that were written to document the story of a chequered and absorbing life. Edmond confirms on which “side of the tracks” he was born and avoids politics and religion at the same respecting views of others.
In his songs there is no bitterness yet he is not afraid to write about what he saw and experienced.
The chapters are short and easy to read and thus 308 page hard cover book is laced with almost 100 black and white photographs, some of which are historical and were gathered from the archives of the former Rhodesian department of information.
Moods of the writing style vary from a unique way of approaching history, high spritely youthful, humour to the sadness and brutality of a war; these themes also come through in the lyrics of the songs.
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