EXECUTIVE OUTCOMES: REVISITED AND REVISED

My book, ‘Executive Outcomes: Against all Odds’ will undergo a revision, a re-edit and then be republished sometime later this year. The book will also be updated with new material.

The book was initially published by Galago. However, since Peter Stiff’s untimely passing, the rights to the book reverted back to me.

Peter was the only publisher (both locally and abroad) that was prepared to publish the book as too many considered it ‘inopportune’ or ‘not politically correct’. I will forever remain grateful to him for his publishing courage.

Some wanted me to remove the names of their journalist friends I named as disinformation agents and outright liars—or of the duplicity of the then South African government. Other publishing houses informed me that the book ‘was not in the public interest’. Some simply ignored my initial manuscript.

Several book stores steadfastly refused to carry it on their shelves once it was published.

At that time, it was apparent to me that the book simply did not match the narrative that had been so successfully, albeit nefariously driven by several local and foreign intelligence services and media houses. For that reason, it had to be stopped.

Efforts to stop publication of the book bordered on the ridiculous. Threats of violence against me should I continue writing the book, as well as the burglary at my home where only my computer was stolen, were, I suspected at that time, part of the efforts to stop the publication of the book.   

Having gone through numerous reprints, there have, to date, been no revisions to the book.

Finally, I have an opportunity to revise the book, have it re-edited and also include new information as well as some information that was initially cut out in the final print editions.

The new edition will be a collaboration between my current publisher and Bush War Books (www.warbooks.co.za). There will also be a limited and numbered hardcover edition (most probably only 50 copies) which will each include an Executive Outcomes commemorative coin.   

  

An Artist’s rendition of the EO Commemorative Coin

The hardcover books with commemorative coins will only be available through Bush War Books. For anyone interested in the numbered hardcover copies, please contact Bush War Books directly as they will be the exclusive outlet for those copies once the revised edition is published.

My thanks to everyone who encouraged me to revisit the book and requested that it be updated and re-released again.

THANK YOU BUSH WAR BOOKS AND OTHERS…

When Piet Fourie and Johan Jonker of Bush War Books (www.warbooks.co.za) asked if I would be willing to visit several MOTH shellholes in and around Cape Town, I was happy to oblige.

Not only was I afforded the opportunity to discuss my book (Composite Warfare) but I was also able to meet some old friends, make new friends, and also have the great pleasure of seeing some of my old parachute sappers from way back when.

Piet and Johan organised talks at three different shellholes as well as at Bargain Books in Canal Walk.

I would like to express my thanks to the Old Bills, Deon vd Berg, Mark Bester, and Phillip McLachlan of the Blaauwberg Cuca Shellhole, the Old Red Barn Shellhole, and the Marshall Smuts Shellhole respectively, for hosting me.

My thanks also to all of the MOTH’s and their families and friends who came to support me and who gave me their friendship and hospitality. 

It was fun and interesting to discuss the changes we are witnessing in not only our own country, but across Africa and the world.

Thanks too must go to Bargain Books in Canal Walk for allowing their shop to be used at very short notice. It was here that I also met several Facebook friends and was able to spend a few minutes chatting to them. Thanks guys for your support as well.  

My sincerest thanks to Piet Fourie and Johan Jonker of Bush War Books for their friendship, organisational skills, and support. It is indeed a pleasure to work with you both!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE...

This past weekend witnessed the solemn commemorations of Remembrance Day around the world.

It was indeed a fitting time to remember the numerous sacrifices made by the many allied and enemy soldiers who went before us. In countless ways, it was both a joyous and sad occasion, but sadly the world has not become what so many had hoped—and died for. The ‘war to end all wars’ was only the start of the conflicts and wars that would follow.

It was also the weekend that my book Composite Warfare was launched in Natal.

My sincerest thanks to everyone who braved the rain and traffic to support my recent discussions and book launch in Pietermaritzburg, Durban and Shelly Beach. I had a great time visiting and chatting to everyone. It was also an honour and a privilege to meet old friends and make new ones.

My apologies to those I was unable to remember from my past…I have to blame ‘old age’.

It is always very difficult to single out specific people, as there are many that played a very prominent role the entire time I was in Natal.

However, I would like to thank the following people by name:

1.    Piet Fourie of Bush War Books for arranging the talks, coordinating matters and making sure I never went hungry or thirsty (Piet and Bush War Books are on Facebook for those who wish to join their circle of friends) and for arranging my overnight stay in Durban

2.    Johan Jonker for his support to both Piet and myself – and of course, his very entertaining stories

3.    Simon and Sarah for their immense kindness and hospitality for feeding me and giving me a warm, cozy bed to sleep in. I am, however, disappointed that they were unable to arrange better weather as it was very cold, misty and wet (I know we need the rain!) where they live, despite it being summer

4.    Brett for taking Sarah, Simon and I to supper on Thursday evening

5.    The Old Bill of the Alan Wilson Shellhole in Pietermaritzburg for allowing the MOTH hall to be used as it was raining and very wet outside

6.    The Natal Mounted Rifles (NMR) in Durban for allowing their facilities to be used on Saturday. Again, the rain was rather pesky but the braai Hilton organised made up for that by far.

7.    Mara Potgieter and her two ladies at Bargain Books, Shelly Beach for their efforts to both promote the book as well as sell it.

A very big thank you to everyone who sacrificed their time to listen to me discuss my new book as well as for the many interesting questions everyone asked.

And of course, a really big thank you to everyone who bought my books.

I truly appreciate your support.