What do you think?
Rate this book
Pioneers #1
Morgandale
A young man’s search for adventure, the birth of a new nation, and a war that would change southern Africa forever…
The year is 1890, and the sun never sets on the British Empire. James Carregan is eager to find fortune and excitement, far away from his protective father’s influence. Setting off for Cape Town, he joins a pioneer column advancing its way into disputed territory in the kingdom of Mashonaland. But little does he know, what he finds there will change his life evermore…
Despite the pioneers’ agreement with the mercurial Matabele King Lobengula, their journey north is fraught with treachery and danger. Although the king has promised them safe travel, each day brings the possibility of a brutal attack by the tribal indunas.
But when the column finally settles, conflict erupts. A savage war ensues. And as the corpses of friends and enemies alike litter the ground, James must decide if this new life he has built for himself is worth the price he has paid…
Morgandale is the first book in an epic historical adventure that sweeps readers away on a journey into British colonial Africa.
The year is 1890, and the sun never sets on the British Empire. James Carregan is eager to find fortune and excitement, far away from his protective father’s influence. Setting off for Cape Town, he joins a pioneer column advancing its way into disputed territory in the kingdom of Mashonaland. But little does he know, what he finds there will change his life evermore…
Despite the pioneers’ agreement with the mercurial Matabele King Lobengula, their journey north is fraught with treachery and danger. Although the king has promised them safe travel, each day brings the possibility of a brutal attack by the tribal indunas.
But when the column finally settles, conflict erupts. A savage war ensues. And as the corpses of friends and enemies alike litter the ground, James must decide if this new life he has built for himself is worth the price he has paid…
Morgandale is the first book in an epic historical adventure that sweeps readers away on a journey into British colonial Africa.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2020
377 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Peter Rimmer
78 books87 followersPeter Rimmer was born in London, England, and grew up in the south of the city where he went to Cranleigh School. After the Second World War and at aged 18, Peter joined the Royal Air Force, reaching the rank of Pilot Officer before he was 19. Then at the end of his National Service and with the optimism of youth, he sailed for Africa with his older brother to grow tobacco in what was then Rhodesia, and the odyssey of his life began.
The years went by and Peter found himself in Johannesburg founding an insurance brokering company. Over 2% of the companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange were clients of Rimmer Associates. He opened companies in the United States of America, Australia and Hong Kong and travelled extensively between the branches.
His passion had always been writing books, which he started at a very early age, though running a business was a driving force too and a common thread throughout his books. By the 1990’s, he had written several novels about Africa and England, and his breakthrough came with Cry of the Fish Eagle published by HarperCollins, Zimbabwe. It was a bestseller, which was followed up with the release of Vultures in the Wind. However, during this time, Zimbabwe was going through its struggles and the books did not get their just international recognition.
Having lived a reclusive life on his beloved smallholding in Knysna, South Africa, for over 25 years, Peter passed away in July 2018. He has left an enormous legacy of unpublished work for his family to release over the coming years, and not only them but also his readers from around the world will sorely miss him. Peter Rimmer was 81 years old.
To learn more about Peter, and to get a free starter library of novels, visit his website at www.peterrimmer.com, or find him on Facebook.com/PeterRimmerAuthor, follow him on Twitter @htcrimmer.com, and on BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/peter-rimmer
The years went by and Peter found himself in Johannesburg founding an insurance brokering company. Over 2% of the companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange were clients of Rimmer Associates. He opened companies in the United States of America, Australia and Hong Kong and travelled extensively between the branches.
His passion had always been writing books, which he started at a very early age, though running a business was a driving force too and a common thread throughout his books. By the 1990’s, he had written several novels about Africa and England, and his breakthrough came with Cry of the Fish Eagle published by HarperCollins, Zimbabwe. It was a bestseller, which was followed up with the release of Vultures in the Wind. However, during this time, Zimbabwe was going through its struggles and the books did not get their just international recognition.
Having lived a reclusive life on his beloved smallholding in Knysna, South Africa, for over 25 years, Peter passed away in July 2018. He has left an enormous legacy of unpublished work for his family to release over the coming years, and not only them but also his readers from around the world will sorely miss him. Peter Rimmer was 81 years old.
To learn more about Peter, and to get a free starter library of novels, visit his website at www.peterrimmer.com, or find him on Facebook.com/PeterRimmerAuthor, follow him on Twitter @htcrimmer.com, and on BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/peter-rimmer
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 6, 2022
Not quite Wilbur Smith but very readable.
This is a story set in real historical events but with the main characters being fictional and some real historical characters are thrown in to give it historical context.
The characters were well-drawn and the story was interesting enough to make me want to keep reading.
The story is based around Rhodes's pioneer column advancing its way into disputed territory in the kingdom of Mashonaland. This is the birth of Rhodesia.
This is the first of a series and the first book I have read from this author. Apparently, this was one of his early writings and was only released after his death.
The year is 1890 and the main hero James Carregan is eager to find fortune and excitement. It's a 'boys own adventure with historical context.
The story was interesting enough to make me look into reading the next in the series.
This is a story set in real historical events but with the main characters being fictional and some real historical characters are thrown in to give it historical context.
The characters were well-drawn and the story was interesting enough to make me want to keep reading.
The story is based around Rhodes's pioneer column advancing its way into disputed territory in the kingdom of Mashonaland. This is the birth of Rhodesia.
This is the first of a series and the first book I have read from this author. Apparently, this was one of his early writings and was only released after his death.
The year is 1890 and the main hero James Carregan is eager to find fortune and excitement. It's a 'boys own adventure with historical context.
The story was interesting enough to make me look into reading the next in the series.
August 23, 2020
Another wonderful novel.
What a marvellous author Peter Rimmer is. He makes Africa come alive. I received this book yesterday and am so disappointed to have finished it so quickly and look forward to the next instalment. These books are so well written with very believable characters. Highly recommend.
What a marvellous author Peter Rimmer is. He makes Africa come alive. I received this book yesterday and am so disappointed to have finished it so quickly and look forward to the next instalment. These books are so well written with very believable characters. Highly recommend.
January 18, 2021
Great read.😛
Well worth the five 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.The storyline and characters were well written into the illustrations of the country and were and felt you were there watching.I will definitely read book two,I have read quite a few of the authors books his writing and historical knowledge of the struggles is second to none.😷
Well worth the five 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.The storyline and characters were well written into the illustrations of the country and were and felt you were there watching.I will definitely read book two,I have read quite a few of the authors books his writing and historical knowledge of the struggles is second to none.😷
August 23, 2020
Excellent historical read.
A return to the early years of African exploration.
Fact and fiction all rolled up together in the first instalment of a two part novel.
Can't wait for part two.
A return to the early years of African exploration.
Fact and fiction all rolled up together in the first instalment of a two part novel.
Can't wait for part two.
September 3, 2020
Africa to build a life from nothing
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. People leave there country of birth to try and make there way in life abroad this is one of those stories. Looking forward to the next book hoping it's as good as the first.
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. People leave there country of birth to try and make there way in life abroad this is one of those stories. Looking forward to the next book hoping it's as good as the first.
October 4, 2020
Another excellent book by Peter Rimmer. A real page turner and I am looking forward to the release of the sequle Carregan's Catch later this year.
October 6, 2021
A great story couldn't put the book down until I finished it.Peter rimmer certainly brings the story to life
November 8, 2021
Very enjoyable read
Good story with a mix of fact and fiction, will read the sequel asap as good as the echoes of the past .
Good story with a mix of fact and fiction, will read the sequel asap as good as the echoes of the past .
August 18, 2022
A great beautifully written story about the hard-fought problems in Afrika. Life was not easy, yet they all fell in love with the land.
July 1, 2023
Very good book, not as good as E.V. Thompson’s South African sagas, but still very entertaining. I enjoyed it.
February 26, 2025
Great read
I am glad that Peter Rimmer's books are being released. Great read...love having new series as it is interesting story line.
I am glad that Peter Rimmer's books are being released. Great read...love having new series as it is interesting story line.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews