The book launch of David Brokensha's book Guy's Story about his brother, a young man from Durban who joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1937 and became an ace fighter pilot in World War II. One morning in Auguust 1942, the unthinkable happened: Guy did not report for duty. His mysterious - and unsolved - disappearance from an aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean is described here by a number of people who knew the author's 'hero brother'. Against the central portion of the book is contrasted a description of the life of Guy's family before the war, and of his all-too-brief marriage. David Brokensha - born in 1923 - is a retired anthropologist. The story of his own long and fascinating life, subtitled Love and Work in Three Continents, is told in his autobiography Brokie's Way (Amani Press 2007), and online at www.brokiesway.co.za. Both books will be available to buy at the launch.

Audience Responses

The person I took to the book launch was in his mid-80s and so I wondered why it was being held upstairs BUT I an aware that it is still a cafe/bar and open to the public....and you'd want some privacy at the book launch. I enjoyed it and thank you. I, personally, am interested in the Second World War, if only because my mentor's brother was a bomber pilot who was shot down returning from a raid on Leipzig. Kind regards. Tony

Hi Chaps, It is wonderful to have such a welcoming venue in the middle of town that provides a showcase for such esoteric and interesting talent. The only downside is that we are waaaaay out here in the winelands and don't make the effort to enjoy more of your productions. We could certainly take out a season ticket and come to everything. Keep up the great work. Bill & David

It was not what we expected but liked to see the old man of almost 93 talk about his life and that of his brother. Too bad the lady was unprepared and stopped him more than she helped.