Trapped in History

A child comes of age against the violent background of Kenya's struggle for independence.

'Excellent.' Evening Standard

'Unforgettable.' Observer

'Magnificent.' Daily Telegraph

A twist of fate meant Nicholas Rankin spent his childhood in colonial Kenya, a white boy growing up in black Africa as British rule was ending.

'Excellent.' Evening Standard

'Unforgettable.' Observer

'Magnificent.' Daily Telegraph

A twist of fate meant Nicholas Rankin spent his childhood in colonial Kenya, a white boy growing up in black Africa as British rule was ending. Decades later, he began to question the past. Trapped in History is a search for nuanced truth behind the propaganda, a post-colonial story with a close-up view of the terror and pity of empire.

'A wholly fascinating and engaging memoir that also functions as a shrewd and brilliant investigation of a still hugely controversial period of Africa's twentieth century history.' William Boyd