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Why We Tell Stories
Storytelling was an intrinsic activity in traditional African communities. Typically told by older people, usually grandmothers and grandfathers, stories were a way of life for the young and old alike, linking the past, present and future of those societies. Set as they were around a fire, the storytelling tradition strengthened communal ties between the old and the young, and as reinforced bonds among the young.
Stories emphasized shared culture, cultural values and history that were the foundation of the society’s ties. They underscored important societies’ traditions, beliefs and other norms.
From the old, the young learnt lessons about their community that to affirmed their collective identity. They learnt and internalized moral values such as honesty, courage, respect, solidarity and caring for others. Invariably, stories discouraged greed and selfishness. Further, the tales captured the essence of the environment in which the people lived while reinforcing their core values. They contributed to character-building through appreciation of the moral of the stories.
In Why We Tell Stories, Dorcas Kiptoo and Arthur Dobrin bring their storytelling experiences and expertise to the fore through a selection of from the African folklore. Even as the two look back to societies of yore to dig up the tales, the inherent lessons remain as relevant in contemporary times as they were ages ago.
About the Authors
Dorcas Kiptoo was born in Mogotio, Kenya. She attended Kenyatta University where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree. She currently lives in New York.
Mwangi’s Adventure
When Mwangi helped a distressed lady change a punctured car tyre one day, he thought it was just that. Little did he know that the token of appreciation that the lady gave him was a trigger that would set him off on an adventure of mixed fortunes. On one hand danger looms large and, on the other, he has to keep a job as an assistant to a young Irish researcher named Trevor. Trevor, as well, finds himself on a new path with the thugs pursuing Mwangi. How the two youths juggle between their research and safety, in and around Nyandarũa, is the thrill of this compelling narrative.
Hello: Adventures of Corona the Chame...
Corona Virus is a new disease in the world today and it looks like the disease is here to stay with us. People will only have to learn to live with it by taking all the necessary measures to protect themselves.
'Hello: Adventures of Corona the Chameleon' is such an educative, entertaining and informative book which is best suited for school going children of grades 1,2,3,and 4.
It is written in a very simple language and through it, every child can learn more about the disease: how it mutates to different variants, the symptoms and also what to do in order to protect oneself from infection now and in the future!
Ten Thousand Rocks by Ndirangu Githaiga
Will’s abrupt decision to leave his medical practice in Atlanta and take up a new job in Virginia Beach catches Laura by surprise. But moving back to their hometown was always going to be complicated since Will never told his family about their eight-year marriage.
Still fresh in their minds is the stinging memory of Laura’s disastrous first meeting with his parents, particularly his mother—for whom a white daughter-in-law is an anathema.
As Will settles into the tedious routine of his new job, the simmering estrangement between him and Laura gradually deepens, until the day comes when he is involved in a near-fatal car accident. Laura is left reeling in the aftermath and forced to come face to face with her in-laws at the hospital, when complex medical decisions need to be made in the absence of clear-cut answers, and where strong opinions and poorly disguised animosities seem to have the upper hand.
Weeks later, Will emerges from a coma, and upon discovering he is quadriplegic becomes uncharacteristically vicious towards Laura, sending their relationship into dark, unfamiliar territory.
Amidst this rising turmoil, the ocean remains a source of serenity, with the rhythmic breaking of waves and joyous cries of seagulls serving as an abiding reminder that life is worth living even when we go astray and need help finding our way back home.
Kagituju Kajigi na Johana Muritu Meru...
Kiss, Commander, Promise by Alexander...
In Kenya, an Egyptian defector becomes the focal point of an African Cold War - but is he a player or a pawn in the international game of political chess?
In North Korea, a disillusioned spy plays a cat-and-mouse game against his own secret service…
In Canada, a successful businesswoman must outwit a stalker who has come a little too close for comfort…
In Israel, a secret plan to bioengineer an army of cloned soldiers creates ʹthe perfect storm’ of controversy…
In Rwanda, a young family flees the 1994 in a heart-rending tale of courage, sacrifice, hatred and fear…
Back in Nairobi, an investigator is called in after an Indian family’s wedding plans turn into funeral arrangements…
Ripples of alarm begin to spread when a soon-to-be-crowned Nobel laureate goes missing, believed kidnapped…
A varsity student meets her idol...
A political assassination is investigated...
And a love triangle between a high-strung cop, a naïve writer and a beautiful girl spirals dangerously out of control…
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"A seriously thrilling collection of short stories. From espionage to crimes of passion to tragic love stories. Alexander Nderitu's heavily researched anthology is proof that Kenyan writers have come of age, ready to compete with international big guns." - Ciku Kimani-Mwaniki, author of the Cocktail book series
A Boy named Koko by Adipo Sidang
Brief Summary
Koko is a talented boy. His teachers like him and try to help him develop his talent. However, he is different from others - he lives with albinism. This makes others treat him differently.
His mother punishes him frequently and hurls insults at him, in spite of being restrained by the neighbor. Boys of his age find pleasure in making fun of his condition and often provoke him to fight. But Koko is a calm boy who does not like controversy.
With a view to running away from constant scolding and conflict, Koko runs away from home. What follows is a roller-coaster of events and experiences. Will Koko emerge from his social maze and amount to something? Find the answers to this question from this spellbinding story.
Alternative Dispute Resolution in the...
Brief Summary
The book has powerfully underpinned the need for awareness creation and the building of a new ADR culture.
The author has persuasively argued that courts are firefighting backlogs, but the actual fire is out there in the wider society. The real challenge is to stem the flow of disputes into the court system.
The book has been written in an easily accessible style and this makes it suitable for all readers who are not familiar with ADR including, students in schools, colleges and universities, administrators, judiciary, policy makers, corporates and practitioners of ADR among many possible users of the book.
The Environment and Noah’s ark by J.G...
Brief Summary
The environment action plans and the resources must have a moral dimension for environmental challenges to be fully met. The author concludes by comparing the Noah’s flood waters with the new era waters of baptism both of which depict the righteous and moral dimension of the environment.
First and Last word by J G Nyamu
Brief Summary
It has covered fifteen other powerful statesmen and ordinary people who stepped into higher levels of achievement and excellence through the use of words History of the last century and the first decade of this century would be awfully incomplete without the great destiny-making story of the big trio which relegated communism to the ash heap of history- Reagan, Thatcher and Saint Pope Paul II.
Moments in the Mountains: Hiking on d...
A life Undeserved Maingis Tribulation...
Brief Summary
A life Undeserved Maingis Tribulations is a breathtaking suspenseful, rapid paced and touching search for rewards that really accrue out of hard work, faithfulness and self discipline. In this novel Warugongo Wamathai juxtaposes the labyrinths of the good, bad , genuine, faithful, virtuous, vile, fate, destiny and absurdity that living and relationship serve humanity. A brilliantly woven magnificent piece.
The Ogre An Anthology of Short Storie...
Brief Summary
From deception in leadership and relationships to the space of traditional cultural practices in independent Africa, the Ogre is a collection of short stories inspired by experiences in a modern Africa struggling to hold on to the age-old culture and traditions amidst the disruptions of modernity.
It chronicles the everyday challenges, conflicts, aspirations, happiness and failures in a quintessentially 21st-century African society.
Tales of Murugi by Sammy Wanjala
Brief Summary
Tales of Murugi is a poetry anthology inked with indelible words that stir questions within the soul; questions the heart has no right answers to left to give.
The book narrates and bring into sharp focus silent but loud feelings of a young man whose heart has become a grave without flowers. This anthology of poems is a breath of fresh air to a heart(s) that was once a desert of hopes but now a sea of dunes.
Author: Sammy Wanjala