James and the Duck by Faan Martin

Drawing upon his own experiences and those of fellow servicemen, James and the Duck recounts encounters involving infantry soldiers, helicopter gunship pilots, military officers, mercenaries and other individuals whose lives became intertwined with the conflict.

Unlike conventional military histories concentrating primarily on battles, political developments and military strategy, this memoir emphasises the human experiences behind the fighting. Its anecdotes explore the camaraderie, boredom, fear, absurdity and occasional humour that characterised everyday military life.

James and the Duck incorporates experiences associated with operations in Rhodesia and neighbouring Mozambique, offering readers an insight into the operational environment and personal circumstances of those involved. Martin’s distinctive storytelling balances entertaining incidents with more serious reflections on the hardships and consequences of war.

Written from the perspective of a participant, James and the Duck provides a personal account rather than a comprehensive history of the conflict. It is particularly relevant to readers interested in Rhodesian military history, Southern African conflicts, wartime memoirs and the experiences of part-time soldiers.

An interesting addition to any collection of Rhodesiana, African military history or first-person accounts of twentieth-century warfare.

Condition – Fair

Paperback with noticeable general wear, surface marks, staining and rubbing to the covers. Adhesive residue and surface damage near the upper left corner of the front cover. A substantial portion of the preliminary page has been torn away, with approximately half the page physically missing. Minor discolouration to the page edges and general handling wear. The remaining binding appears intact.