No Fixed Abode: A Jewish Odyssey to Africa

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Description

Peter Fraenkel here gives a vivid account of a childhood in a middle-class, non-observant Jewish family in Nazi Germany, forced to emigrate to Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) in 1939. Here the contrast could hardly be greater, from persecuted Jew, to 'enemy alien' in colonial Northern Rhodesia, to re-assimilation into the privileged colonial elite. Following education in Northern and Southern Rhodesia he worked for the Northern Rhodesian and later, Central Broadcasting Service. Here his pioneering work and support for racial equality in a deeply racist society connected with his earlier life - 'no fixed abode' but in tune with humane liberalism.

Reviews

Africa Book Centre: "A vivid account of a childhood in a middle-class, non-observant Jewish family in Nazi Germany, forced to emigrate to Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) in 1939." Jewish Chronicle, 3rd June 2005. Review by Trevor Grundy: 'Not many publishing houses are interested in commissioning works on what we perfunctorily call the worlds' hungriest and least developed continent. I.B.Tauris is thankfully, an exception and its latest African offering, Peter Fraenkel's NO FIXED ABODE is a masterly account of a young man's rites of passage.' 'Well written and painfully honest... a riveting tale.' 'Peter Fraenkel is a born story teller.' - Overseas Pensioner

Author Bio

Peter Fraenkel left his broadcasting career in Africa and came to the UK. He pursued a successful career in the BBC World Service, where he became the Controller of European Services.