[Fresh Ink] New release: 'We Are All Zimbabweans Now'

[Richard Menec]

<http://umuzi.book.co.za/blog/2009/06/03/announcing-james-kilgores-we-are-all-zimbabweans-now-with-excerpt/>

Umuzi proudly announces the release of 'We Are All Zimbabweans Now' by James 
Kilgore. Written from a California prison cell by this one-time fugitive 
author, the book occupies an important place amongst the fictional 
chronicles of post-independence Zimbabwe.

'We are All Zimbabweans Now' tells the story of young American historian Ben 
Dabney who arrives in Harare in 1981, full of admiration for Robert Mugabe 
and Zimbabwe's policy of reconciliation. His euphoria in this country he 
calls the 'Land of Forgiveness' heightens when he becomes involved with 
disabled ex-freedom fighter Florence Matshaka who connects him with the 
emerging black elite.

His research, however, takes him down a different path. When he explores the 
case of a liberation war leader who died in a mysterious car accident, he 
receives elusive answers, then threats. An interview with a teacher in rural 
Matabeleland, propels him into the middle of the army's offensive against 
'dissidents' and civilians in that part of the country. As he delves more 
into his research the dangers deepen and the connections of Florence to 
mysteries past and present force Ben to confront difficult decisions about 
career, love, parenting and political principle.

'We are All Zimbabweans Now' is an accomplished and compelling novel. While 
written in the style of a detective thriller, the story deftly analyzes the 
complex struggles for power in post-independence Africa. The characters and 
events of this fascinating tale will resonate loudly for South Africans as 
well as those familiar with Zimbabwe.

Read an excerpt: 
<http://umuzi.book.co.za/files/2009/06/chapters-2-3-from-waazn-kilgore.pdf>

_About the author_

*James Kilgore* first made news in South Africa when he was arrested in Cape 
Town in 2002. He had been living under the alias Dr. John Pape and become a 
respected academic at the University of Cape Town. U.S. authorities 
extradited him to California where he served six and a half years in prison. 
He was released 10 May 2009.

Kilgore grew up in California and lived in the volatile San Francisco Bay 
Area during the late 60s and early 70s. He became immersed in left-wing 
politics, eventually linking up with the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). 
His involvement with the SLA led to an indictment for possession of 
explosives in 1975. Kilgore then fled the law for 27 years, living in 
Zimbabwe, Australia and South Africa. He abandoned the politics violence, 
focusing on a career as an educator. He resided in Harare, the site of 'We 
Are All Zimbabweans Now', from 1982-91. There he met his wife, Terri and 
also wrote a doctoral dissertation on the history of domestic workers in 
Zimbabwe.

>From Harare Kilgore and Terri moved to South Africa where he worked as an 
educator and director for both Khanya College in Johannesburg and the 
International Labour Research and Information Group (ILRIG) in Cape Town. He 
earned a reputation as a champion of workers and the poor.

The author currently lives with Terri and their two sons, in Illinois, 
U.S.A. 'We Are All Zimbabweans Now' is his first novel and his first 
publication under his real name. He is currently working on manuscripts of 
seven other novels which he wrote during his incarceration. Umuzi looks 
forward to a long and productive relationship with this blossoming writer.