Sanders Of The River

British Commissioner Sanders rules the West African territories in the manner of a strict father, watching over his subjects with a combination of force and indulgence. When Sanders takes a period of leave, his kingdom falls into disarray, until order is restored with the help of the loyal chief Bosambo.

Employing his unique style of innocent and endearing humour, Bones has written to the newspapers inviting the Foreign Secretary to pay a visit to the African territories which they administer. It is against the regulations and his boss Hamilton is furious. All the while Bosambo, chief of the Ochori, watches closely.

As a symbol of the British crown, Commissioner Sanders governs the affairs of Colonial Nigeria, and becomes the target of both internal and external threats. Sanders of the River is one of Edgar Wallace’s earliest successes focusing on the colonial experience and West African life. District Commissioner Sanders struggles to maintain peace and prosperity within Colonial Nigeria. As a British ruler, he must manage the crown’s expectations as well as the interests of the Nigerian people. Sanders attempt at fair and just authority is often challenged by skeptic natives and outside forces. At his most vulnerable, he faces a political upheaval that may push the colony to the brink of war. Sanders of the River illustrates the tumultuous relationship between the British Empire and its African colonies. While some locals are intrigued by Commissioner Sanders, others are weary of his true intentions. He represents Western ideals which have historically sewn discord within the tribal communities. Influenced by Wallace’s own travels, Sanders of the River explores imperialism from both a foreign and domestic perspective. This popular tale spawned multiple sequels including The People of the River (1911) and The River of Stars (1913). The initial story was also adapted for film in 1935 and went on to become a critical and commercial success. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Sanders of the River is both modern and readable.

Colonial Administrator Sanders is known for exploiting the people of Liberia. But when he encounters the one man three steps ahead of him, all that is about to change. Both a conman and a crook, escaped convict turned tribal chief Bosambo is ready to outwit Sanders and his crew. He is nevertheless fiercely loyal to him and ready to spring to his rescue in times of need. Weaving another rip-roaring tale in the ‘Sanders of the River’ adventure series, Wallace’s novel – and 1935 film starring Paul Robeson and Leslie Banks – is ideal for fans of the 2016 blockbuster hit, ‘The Legend of Tarzan’. Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was an English writer so prolific, that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England. An author, journalist, and poet, Wallace wrote countless novels, short stories, screenplays, and stage plays, along with historical non-fiction. His work has been adapted into more than 160 films. In 1932, Wallace died suddenly in Hollywood, during the initial drafting of his most famous work, ‘King Kong’.

" Mr. Commissioner Sanders had graduated to West Central Africa by such easy stages that he did not realise when his acquaintance with the back lands began. Long before he was called upon by the British Government to keep a watchful eye upon some quarter of a million cannibal folk, who ten years before had regarded white men as we regard the unicorn; he had met the Basuto, the Zulu, the Fingo, the Pondo, Matabele, Mashona, Barotse, Hottentot, and Bechuana. Then curiosity and interest took him westward and northward, and he met the Angola folk, then northward to the Congo, westward to the Masai, and finally, by way of the Pigmy people, he came to his own land. Now, there is a subtle difference between all these races, a difference that only such men as Sanders know. It is not necessarily a variety of colour, though some are brown and some yellow, and some—a very few—jet black. The difference is in character. By Sanders' code you trusted all natives up to the same point, as you trust children, with a few notable exceptions. The Zulu were men, the Basuto were men, yet childlike in their grave faith. The black men who wore the fez were subtle, but trustworthy; but the browny men of the Gold Coast, who talked English, wore European clothing, and called one another "Mr.," were Sanders' pet abomination"

NATIONAL BESTSELLER Shortlisted for Best Crime Novel by the Crime Writers of Canada Award Based on a true story, this powerful novel is set in Latvia’s capital during the horrific Rumbula massacre when 30,000 Jews were slaughtered over two days in 1941 When Miriam and her family are rounded up and forced to live in the Jewish ghetto in Riga, Miriam chooses to give up her children to the care of a Gentile friend who will hide them. A few weeks later, Miriam, along with thousands of other Jews, is marched to the execution pits in the Rumbula forest. Incredibly, she manages to escape the carnage when night falls. Through a series of dramatic events, she finds sanctuary in the countryside, managing to hide for three years and survive the war. Consumed by guilt, she is finally reunited with her daughter. But she has lost her son. Thirty-five years later, Miriam’s granddaughter, Sarah, is living in Chicago with her family. Seeking to understand her maternal family history, Sarah tries desperately to ferret out Miriam’s secret. Miriam does not want to revisit the past, but through persistence Sarah eventually finds out enough to impel her to travel to Riga to search for her uncle. But it is the height of the Cold War and Riga is under Soviet control. Now Sarah’s quest for the truth may threaten her freedom when she comes face to face with the KGB. Told in chapters that alternate between 1941 and 1976, this gripping novel delves into the trauma faced by survivors of genocide down through the generations.

The second book in the ‘Sanders of the River’ series, ‘The People of the River’ gives us a little more insight into the working of the eponymous Commissioner’s mind. Wonderfully witty, decidedly facetious, and always irreverent, this is a collection of encounters between Commissioner Sanders and the Nigerian natives under colonial rule. In addition to the vignettes Wallace paints, this serves as a fascinating record of the cultural clash experienced by both the invaders and the oppressed. A superb read for Wallace fans and those with an interest in history, where the lines between fact and fiction are brilliantly blurred. Prior to the success of ́King Kong ́, which he co-created, Edgar Wallace published a selection of tales about Commissioner Sanders and his adventures in Africa under British rule. Born in London, Edgar Wallace (1875 – 1932) was an English writer so prolific that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England. Leaving school at the age of 12, Wallace made his first steps into the literary world by selling newspapers on the corner of Fleet Street. He worked as a war correspondent after joining the army at age 21, which honed his writing abilities. This led to the creation of his first book ‘The Four Just Men.’ Wallace is best remembered as the co-creator of ‘King Kong,’ which has been adapted for film 12 times (most notably directed by ‘Lord of the Rings’ director, Peter Jackson, and starring Jack Black and Naomi Watts). However, he leaves behind an extensive body of work, including stories such as ‘The Crimson Circle’ and ‘The Flying Squad’.

If you can imagine Rowan Atkinson’s ‘Mr Bean’ as a lieutenant serving in Africa during the days of the British Empire, then you’ve got a good idea of ‘Lieutenant Bones.’ When Commissioner Sanders goes on leave, the African territories are left under the watchful eye of Lieutenant ‘Bones’ Hamilton. However, it soon becomes painfully obvious that our hapless hero is definitely not up to the job – particularly when trying to negotiate peace talks with a local chief. A light-hearted look at a soldier completely out of his depth, ‘Lieutenant Bones’ is the ideal read for those interested in humourous adventure stories. Prior to the success of ́King Kong ́, which he co-created, Edgar Wallace published a selection of tales about Commissioner Sanders and his adventures in Africa under British rule. Born in London, Edgar Wallace (1875 – 1932) was an English writer so prolific that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England. Leaving school at the age of 12, Wallace made his first steps into the literary world by selling newspapers on the corner of Fleet Street. He worked as a war correspondent after joining the army at age 21, which honed his writing abilities. This led to the creation of his first book ‘The Four Just Men.’ Wallace is best remembered as the co-creator of ‘King Kong,’ which has been adapted for film 12 times (most notably directed by ‘Lord of the Rings’ director, Peter Jackson, and starring Jack Black and Naomi Watts). However, he leaves behind an extensive body of work, including stories such as ‘The Crimson Circle’ and ‘The Flying Squad’.