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We are excited to announce that the sequel to The Unravelling will soon be available. The new book is titled A Moment of Madness , a phrase once used by Mugabe to describe his government’s pernicious campaign of violence and terror against the Ndebele nation from 1983 to 1985. This campaign, which was known as the Gukurahundi, was spearheaded by the North Korean-trained 5th Brigade of Zimbabwe’s National Army. To the world’s shame, the brutality and injustice of the Gukurahundi campaign went largely unchallenged by the global community. This global silence emboldened Mugabe’s government to commit even greater acts of evil, corruption, and disregard for the rule of law, ultimately leading to the total implosion of Zimbabwean society and economy in 2007. We are all familiar with the quote, “All power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In A Moment of Madness , readers will learn how Mugabe’s hold on power in Zimbabwe became absolute from around 1987 and how this absolute power led to the absolute depravity of his government from the late 1980s onward. As a prelude to the official launch of A Moment of Madness in a couple of months, I am offering a special promotion for The Unravelling . You can purchase the paperback format for A$34.61, incl GST, or the eBook format for A$7.50, incl GST. The book can be ordered online at Amazon. Links to the relevant Amazon stores can be found on my website – click here . Readers in Australia can also order a signed copy of the paperback directly from me at a special promotional price of $34.00 (including GST and postage). If you would like to take advantage of this special offer, please complete the order form by clicking here .

Some of you may know that the sequel to my first novel, The Unravelling , is set to be published by the end of November 2024. The sequel is titled A Moment of Madness . It took me quite some time to settle on a name for the sequel — in fact, I’d written at least half the book before deciding on one. I thought you may be interested in learning how that name came into being. One of the book’s central plots explores the Gukurahundi campaign — Mugabe’s five-year mission, led by the infamous North Korean-trained 5th Brigade, supposedly aimed at eliminating armed Ndebele dissidents. However, this campaign quickly escalated beyond targeting actual dissidents to systematically terrorising innocent Ndebele citizens in Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands, especially those supporting ZAPU, the main opposition party to Mugabe’s ZANU-PF. Widely regarded as a genocidal operation, the campaign resulted in the deaths of an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 Ndebeles. In my research for the book, I was surprised to find a quote in which Mugabe described the campaign as a moment of madness . Yet, this fleeting reflection does not in any way absolve him of culpability. As the campaign’s architect, Mugabe ordered the 5th Brigade’s training and deployment against the Ndebele and allowed the brutal campaign to continue unchecked for five long years, despite countless reports of unwarranted atrocities against innocent Zimbabwean citizens. And what drove his moment of madness? Simply put — Mugabe’s relentless pursuit of absolute power in Zimbabwe required him eliminating ZAPU as both a political and military threat. If you’d like to learn more about the book, you can find more information on the relevant page of my website – https://www.authormichaelchalk.com/published-books-a-moment-of-madness . While on the website, feel free to explore further. If using a PC, navigate using the drop-down menu items at the top of each page. If on a phone or tablet, use the three horizontal lines at the top right of each screen. Release dates and promotional material, including videos, will be published on my website over the coming month. If you’d like to be notified of updates automatically, please subscribe to my blog page – https://www.authormichaelchalk.com/blog ZNA's 5th Brigade being presented with its colours

I am very pleased to advise that my latest book, A Moment of Madness , is now available for purchase on Amazon. Paperback and eBook formats are available. A Moment of Madness is the sequel to my first book, The Unravelling , which was published last year. The video below will tell you more about the book. Please take the opportunity to view it – it is under 3 minutes long. For those of you who would prefer to simply read what the book is about, very brief details are shown below:- Experience the dramatic shift from Ian Smith’s Rhodesia to Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe in this gripping sequel to The Unravelling. Set between 1980 and 1986, A Moment of Madness explores the profound impact of Mugabe’s quest for power, focusing on the devastating Gukurahundi campaign and the rise of a one-party dictatorship. The novel continues the story of Nick and Rachel, now living and working in the UK. They struggle to balance their new life in the UK with their connections to Zimbabwe, where political chaos, including Gukurahundi killings and CIO executions, touch them deeply. When Nick uncovers disheartening revelations about the British government’s stance on Zimbabwe, he must confront the stark truth about his role and his family’s future. A Moment of Madness powerfully portrays a nation in upheaval and the personal sacrifices made in the quest for justice and stability. Click here to go straight to the Where To Buy page for A Moment of Madness page on my website. If you like to have a general look around my website, click here . If you would like to buy a copy of The Unravelling, navigate to the Where to Buy page, and then use the drop down menu to select The Unravelling.

While researching for my two recent books, A Moment of Madness and The Unravelling , I uncovered a wealth of remarkable historical details. Some of these made their way into the books, but many others did not. This blog is an opportunity to share one such fascinating aspect which was omitted from both books. If I were to ask readers of this blog who they think was the most influential American figure in shaping U.S. policy toward Rhodesia's white minority government in the 1970s, most would likely answer Henry Kissinger without hesitation. But how many would name Andrew Jackson Young? ________________________________________ A Surprising Perspective In my research, I came across a compelling interview with Andrew Young, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President Jimmy Carter, conducted by The Times of London. Young offered a striking perspective on Robert Mugabe, then a prominent nationalist leader: Interviewer: “Does Mr. Mugabe strike you as a violent man?” Young: “Not at all, he’s a very gentle man. In fact, one of the ironies of the whole struggle is that I can’t imagine Joshua Nkomo or Robert Mugabe ever pulling the trigger on a gun to kill anyone. I doubt that they ever have. … The violent people are Smith’s people, and hopefully they won’t be around for the new Zimbabwe.” In another moment, Young described Mugabe as intelligent, dedicated, and incorruptible: Young: “The only thing that frustrates me about Robert Mugabe is that he is so damned incorruptible. … The problem is he was educated by the Jesuits, and when you get the combination of a Jesuit and a Marxist kind of philosophy merging in one person, you’ve got a hell of a guy to deal with.” These comments reveal much about Young’s perspective on Rhodesian black nationalist leaders and his significant role in reshaping U.S. policy. ________________________________________ U.S. Policy in the 1970s: Kissinger’s Pragmatism and Young’s Moral Vision During the 1970s, the United States played a pivotal role in pressuring Rhodesia’s white minority government, led by Ian Smith, to accept majority rule. This effort evolved under two administrations, driven by key figures: Henry Kissinger, Andrew Young, and President Jimmy Carter. Their combined influence helped steer Rhodesia toward the eventual transition to Zimbabwe. ________________________________________ Henry Kissinger’s Cold War Strategy (1976) As Secretary of State under President Gerald Ford, Kissinger adopted a pragmatic, Cold War-focused approach to the Rhodesian crisis. Concerned about the Soviet Union’s growing influence in Southern Africa through its support of liberation movements, Kissinger sought to pre-empt further instability by advocating a controlled transition to majority rule. The Kissinger Plan : In 1976, Kissinger brokered a diplomatic initiative involving South African Prime Minister John Vorster, pressuring Ian Smith to accept the principle of one-man-one-vote . This phased plan proposed a Western-managed constitutional transition. Challenges : Despite securing Smith’s grudging acceptance, the Plan ultimately failed due to resistance from African nationalist leaders, who mistrusted Western mediation, and from hardliners within Smith’s government. ________________________________________ The Carter Administration’s Shift (1977–1980) The election of Jimmy Carter in 1976 marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. Carter prioritised human rights and decolonisation, diverging from Kissinger’s realpolitik approach. Under his administration, Andrew Young became a pivotal figure in advancing these principles. Carter’s Leadership : The administration intensified support for U.N. sanctions against Rhodesia, further isolating Ian Smith’s government. Young’s Advocacy : As U.N. Ambassador, Young championed African liberation movements, vocally supporting leaders like Robert Mugabe (ZANU) and Joshua Nkomo (ZAPU). Unlike Kissinger, Young recognised these leaders as the legitimate representatives of Rhodesia’s black majority. Young’s moral stance framed Rhodesia’s racial policies as indefensible and emphasised the need for global support for decolonisation. He also lobbied South Africa to withdraw its backing for the Rhodesian regime, undermining Smith’s position. ________________________________________ Legacy and Reflection The contrasting approaches of Kissinger and Young reflect the complexity of U.S. foreign policy during the Rhodesian crisis. Kissinger’s pragmatic Cold War focus prioritised regional stability, while Young’s moral vision underscored the injustices of minority rule and highlighted the aspirations of African liberation leaders. Together, these efforts laid the groundwork for the Lancaster House negotiations of 1979 and Rhodesia’s eventual transition to Zimbabwe in 1980. ________________________________________ Fundamental Miscalculations in U.S. Policy While U.S. efforts succeeded in ending Rhodesia’s white minority rule, several miscalculations became apparent in Zimbabwe’s post-independence years: 1. Overestimating Mugabe’s Leadership : U.S. policymakers, including Andrew Young, portrayed Mugabe as incorruptible and committed to democratic principles. Mugabe’s authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement later proved otherwise. 2. Ignoring Tribal Divisions : The U.S. failed to fully grasp the ethnic tensions between Shona and Ndebele groups, which contributed to post-independence conflicts like Gukurahundi. 3. Neglecting Economic Transition : While focused on political liberation, U.S. policy offered little support for Zimbabwe’s economic restructuring, leaving the new government to grapple with land and wealth inequalities. 4. Limited Follow-Through : The U.S. did not sustain its support post-independence, allowing Zimbabwe’s fledgling democracy to falter without meaningful intervention. ________________________________________ A Final Thought One wonders how Zimbabwe’s history might have unfolded if Jimmy Carter had not won the 1976 U.S. presidential election. It is remarkable that the influence of one man, namely Andrew Jackson Young, was so profound. Would Kissinger’s gradualist approach have prolonged Rhodesia’s minority rule, or could it have fostered a more stable transition? While I doubt that white-minority rule would have endured under any scenario after 1980, it is possible that under a different American administration, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia’s Internal Settlement of 1979 could have garnered greater international support thereby providing a more inclusive path forward for Prime Minister Bishop Abel Muzorewa's government of national unity. Who knows? What is certain, however, is that few could have foreseen just how disastrously things would eventually turn out. We all weep for our beloved Zimbabwe. If you like to have a general look around my website, click here .

Choosing the title for a book is one of the most agonising decisions an author can face. A title must encapsulate the essence of the story while also capturing the reader’s interest. It should invite curiosity, provoke thought, and ideally linger in the reader’s mind long after they finish the book. For me, selecting A Moment of Madness  as the title to my book was no exception. The inspiration for the title came during research I carried out about six months before I finished writing the book. I came across this phrase when it was used by Robert Mugabe in the late 1980s when journalists questioned him about the Gukurahundi campaign. Mugabe dismissed the atrocities as “ a moment of madness .” This gross understatement struck me as an affront to the gravity of what had transpired in Zimbabwe during the early 1980s. The Gukurahundi  campaign, launched ostensibly to control armed dissidents, quickly devolved into a brutal, state-sponsored political campaign against the Ndebele nation. Its aim was clear — to annihilate ZAPU as a political force and ensure the Ndebele nation would never again emerge as a military power. This was part of Mugabe’s broader ambition to dismantle Zimbabwe’s fledgling democracy and establish a one-party state under his rule. The title of the book is both cynical and ironic. Far from being a mere moment of madness, the Gukurahundi  campaign spanned five years and was anything but a fleeting lapse of reason. It was a calculated and deliberate assault on political opposition, orchestrated with chilling precision. It is estimated that around 20,000 to 40,000 Ndebele were killed, while countless others were brutally beaten, raped, tortured, made homeless, or subjected to forced political re-education. Some commentators have in fact describe the campaign as a genocide . This campaign left deep scars on the Ndebele nation — scars that remain unhealed to this day. In September 1983, the Zimbabwean Government convened the Chihambakwe Commission of Inquiry to investigate these alleged massacres, responding to widespread international and domestic criticism. Yet, no official report was ever released, with the government citing concerns that publication might incite violence. In 1997, two Zimbabwean human rights organisations, the Legal Resources Foundation and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace , produced a landmark report titled Breaking the Silence, Building True Peace.  This independent report aimed to counter the state-sanctioned silence surrounding the events of the early 1980s. A summary of this report is available on my website — click here . Despite the government’s refusal to fully account for its actions, Mugabe’s infamous dismissal of Gukurahundi  as “a moment of madness” persists. But how can a five-year-long, state-sponsored campaign of violence and brutality — resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent civilians — be described as a mere “moment”? In choosing this title, I sought to throw Mugabe’s words back at ZANU-PF. A Moment of Madness  is not an attempt to minimise the horrors of the campaign but to underscore the absurdity of trying to trivialise such a calculated atrocity. The title challenges readers to reflect on how language can be manipulated to distort history and evade accountability. But the title alone is not enough to convey the weight of this history. The cover of A Moment of Madness  was carefully designed to complement and reinforce the book’s themes. The stark colour palette of red, white, and grey was chosen for its symbolic resonance. Red evokes both the violence of the Gukurahundi campaign and the blood of its victims, while white suggests the erasure and silence surrounding these events. Grey, with its sombre tone, represents the moral ambiguity and lingering shadows of this dark chapter in Zimbabwe’s history. At the centre of the cover is an abstract silhouette of Mugabe, his profile rendered in grey against the white background. This image is deliberately minimalist yet evocative, drawing the viewer’s attention to the man whose leadership defined this troubled period in the country’s history. The visual simplicity belies the complexity of Mugabe’s role in the campaign — both as its orchestrator and as the individual who sought to trivialise its significance with the phrase “a moment of madness.” The tagline at the bottom of the cover further amplifies its message: “The dark shadows of Mugabe's 1983 Gukurahundi  campaign still persist — a moment of madness with lasting repercussions.” These words serve as both a summary of the book’s focus and a chilling reminder of the enduring impact of these events. The jagged, torn edge separating the red and white sections of the cover echoes the physical and emotional scars inflicted by the Gukurahundi campaign. It is a visual representation of division — between the government and its people, between history and accountability, and between truth and denial. The process of selecting a title often involves weighing options, consulting with peers, and second-guessing oneself. Authors strive for titles that resonate with readers and capture the spirit of their work. For me, once I encountered Mugabe’s quote, I instinctively knew it was the right title for the book. The cover design, brilliantly visualised and executed by my son, Simon, came later but was equally crucial in setting the tone for the book. Together, they encapsulate not only the theme of my narrative but also the bitter irony of the historical events it portrays. So, does the title of a book matter? Absolutely. A title is more than just a name — it is the gateway to the story within. Combined with a well-crafted cover, it carries meaning, sparks curiosity, and invites readers to delve deeper. For A Moment of Madness , the title and cover are not merely choices but statements. They reflect the tragic irony of history and serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of political ambition and tyranny. If you would like to view a promotional video on the book, click here . The link will open a video which is stored on my website.

What do Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration and Zimbabwe’s recent history have in common? Both are a study in bold declarations, deep divisions, deliberate lies and obfuscations, and the enduring complexity of power. While one stirs headlines, the other stirs the soul — sometimes in ways that are hard to swallow. As 2025 dawns, Zimbabwe finds itself at another crossroads. The national dialogue about accountability for the Gukurahundi atrocities has reignited, with calls for reparations gaining momentum. For a nation still healing, this is a step toward reckoning with its past — a journey that forms the heart of my latest book, A Moment of Madness . Set during the turbulent years following independence, the novel explores how power can corrupt and how truth, though often buried, eventually demands its day. If you're looking for a gripping read that pairs well with a glass of wine (or tea, for the abstainers among us), why not give it a try? Watch the promo video here: Promo Link . Let’s keep the conversation going — not just about books but about the stories that shape us all.

I’m excited to announce that my books — The Unravelling  and its sequel, A Moment of Madness  — are now available for purchase on an even wider range of platforms! Whether you prefer paperback or eBook formats, most platforms offer both options for your convenience. To make things easier, I’ve created a Where to Buy  page on my website. This page includes purchase buttons that link you directly to the appropriate page on each platform. Simply click the link below to explore and choose your preferred store: Visit the Where to buy page . By reading both books, you will become immersed in the lives of the leading characters — Nick Sinclair, Sipho Pukelo, and Rachel Dixon. In The Unravelling , Nick and Sipho both serve with the RAR during the darkest and final days of Rhodesia. They witness firsthand the unravelling of a nation once known as the breadbasket of Africa. In A Moment of Madness , their hope for a prosperous future for the newly independent Zimbabwe is quickly shattered as Robert Mugabe launches the Gukurahundi campaign against the Ndebele nation in 1983. What follows is a systematic quest for power, leading to the destruction of democracy and the rise of a ruthless one-party military state with Mugabe at the helm. Interwoven amidst these powerful political dynamics is an emotional love story and a heroic tale of courage and daring as the characters fight to protect Zimbabwe’s rhino and elephant herds from the clutches of evil poaching syndicates. Thank you for your continued support. I hope these additional purchasing options make it even easier for you to enjoy my books!

This deeply moving poem, I Know a Place in Africa , written in April 2017 by Wayne Visser from Bulawayo, was read by my brother, Richard, at our beloved father Brian Chalk’s funeral in March 2022. Three years on, its powerful words continue to stir cherished memories for all who knew and loved Dad. Born in 1928 and laid to rest in 2022, Dad was a devoted servant of mother England yet an African at heart. He migrated from England to Zimbabwe in 1951, where he built a life and served with distinction in the British South Africa Police, resigning in 1973 as Chief Superintendent. Though he returned to England that same year, his love for Zimbabwe never faded. He carried with him an abiding affection for the country that had been his home, alongside a deep admiration for the land of his birth and its influence on southern Africa. A sage of African politics and a passionate devotee of cricket, he embraced both worlds with great reverence. His funeral took place at Cromer Crematorium in Norfolk, UK, on 28th March 2022. The poem, with images, can be viewed in the video below. I Know a Place in Africa

Love, war, and political upheaval — two epic novels that bring Zimbabwe's turbulent past to life. Discover the gripping stories behind The Unravelling and A Moment of Madness . Watch the video below. If you would like to purchase the books, please click here to be taken to direct purchase buttons on Michael's website. Two epic stories, one unforgettable journey

I’m pleased to announce a brand-new way to purchase paperback copies of my books — via Books.by , a virtual bookstore offering print-on-demand with worldwide purchase and shipping options Whether you're based in Australia, the UK, the US, Europe or anywhere else around the globe, you can now order directly from my virtual shelf at: 👉 https://books.by/chalk To celebrate this new option, I’m trialling a special introductory offer: Paperback copies of The Unravelling are now available at a flat rate of US$15.00 plus shipping while copies of A Moment of Madness cost US$10.00 plus shipping . Shipping costs vary from US$5.00 to US$16.00 depending on country location. Actual shipping costs will be calculated during the check out process. This is all part of my effort to make my books more accessible to readers worldwide — especially as I gear up for the launch of Zachary’s Cry next month. 📌 You’ll also find the Books.by link has been added to the Where to Buy page on my website, so you can choose the option that works best for you. Stay tuned — and thank you as always for your support!

Every story starts somewhere. For me, Zachary’s Cry  began not with a plot, but with a feeling — a sense of emotional weight carried over from real-life experiences that had stayed with me long after the moment passed. Over the years, in both Zimbabwe and South Australia, I had come across stories of vulnerability, misjudgement, and resilience. Some were from my own professional life, others shared by people I’ve known. Each one touched on the same raw questions: What happens when systems fail? How do ordinary people respond to extraordinary moral choices? And how far will someone go to protect a child who was never meant to survive? Rather than tell one person’s story, I set out to craft a novel that draws from many. I moulded real experiences into something fictional — not to obscure the truth, but to illuminate it. What emerged is Zachary’s Cry  — a contemporary novel that blends human tragedy and frailty with quiet acts of courage, set against the backdrop of rural South Australia. At its heart is Zachary, a severely disabled child born in secret and left to die. But against all odds, he survives — and reshapes the lives of everyone around him. His story is one of pain, yes, but also of transformation. Through Zachary, we see the best and worst of those who cross his path: a terrified teenage mother; a principled, overseas-trained country doctor originally from Zimbabwe; a determined foster family; and a legal system struggling to keep up. Zachary’s Cry  is a story about disability, justice, and family love. But it’s also about how ordinary people respond to extraordinary circumstances — and how redemption can sometimes begin in the quietest places. I hope readers find the novel compelling. More importantly, I hope they find it believable. Because while the characters may be fictional, the emotions that shaped them — fear, regret, tenderness, resilience — are deeply real. Zachary’s Cry  will be released on Monday, 23rd June 2025 . Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes posts, character insights, and updates in the lead-up to launch. You can find out more at my website: 👉  www.authormichaelchalk.com Cover to Zachary's Cry

Monday 7th July 2025, marks the launch of Zachary’s Cry It’s been a long and emotional journey to bring this book into the world. The novel draws on real events and grew from deep questions about justice, truth, systemic failures, and the quiet strength it takes to raise a child who was never meant to survive. In this short video, I share what inspired the story and what I hope readers will take away. It’s personal, and I hope you’ll watch it. 🎥  Watch the video here 🛒  Where to buy the book At its heart, Zachary’s Cry  is about human frailty — and human resilience. It ’s about the wounds we carry, the ones that threaten to crush us, and the redemptive power of love, honesty, and grace. Thank you for coming on this journey. I hope the book moves you, challenges you, and ultimately, stays with you. With warmest regards. Michael Chalk