Synopsis
When he died in 1996, Laurens van der Post was a celebrated polymath: war-hero, writer, explorer, mystic, Jungian, behind-the-scenes diplomat and sage to Mrs Thatcher and Prince Charles. He was a secular saint. After this biography, Post should be most famous for one skill: storytelling. His books and stories (of the bushmen of the Kalahari, of his friendship with Jung, of his diplomatic importance) may be inspiring. They are also largely fabricated. Jones' account reveals Post as enchanting, ambiguous, inspiring, complex, misleading, sometime admirable, sometimes risable - and sometimes as a shockingly culpable fabulist and liar.
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About the Author
J.D.F. Jones has had a long career in news and arts journalism. He is the author of four previous books, and lives in Somerset.
Review
"-'A bold, brilliantly researched and fascinating book.' Victoria Glendinning, Daily Telegraph 'This spellbinding account of a famous man reveals [him] as enchanting, ambiguous inspiring, complex, misleading, sometime admirable, sometimes risible - and sometimes as a shockingly culpable fabulist and liar... Jones has succeed brilliantly, and the result - not least because he has organised this mass of material so well, and written his account so beautifully - reads like a thriller and a Gothic romance in one. 'This is not a hatchet job. Jones did not set out to attack Post or diminish his reputation. Laurens van der Post told lies, and told tales, and Jones has here brilliantly told the tale of his lies - and of his achievements. It is an unputdownably good read.' A.C. Grayling, Financial Times -'Riveting... JDF Jones does for van der Post what Michael Crick did for Jeffrey Archer.' Geoffrey Wheatcroft, Daily Mail -'JDF Jones has performed a difficult task with masterly care and, it has to be said, with a deep and virtuous respect for the truth.' J.W.M. Thompson, Literary Review -'At every page of this huge, hilarious book, one is tempted to mutter: Whatever next?' The Economist
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Storyteller : The Many Lives of Laurens van der Post
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Simon & Schuster Ltd, New York, NY, 2002
ISBN 10: 0743231139
ISBN 13: 9780743231138
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Paperback. Condition: Good. When he died in 1996, Laurens van der Post was a celebrated polymath: war-hero, writer, explorer, mystic, Jungian, behind-the-scenes diplomat and sage to Mrs Thatcher and Prince Charles. He was a secular saint. After this biography, Post should be most famous for one skill: storytelling. His books and stories (of the bushmen of the Kalahari, of his friendship with Jung, of his diplomatic importance) may be inspiring. They are also largely fabricated. Jones' account reveals Post as enchanting, ambiguous, inspiring, complex, misleading, sometime admirable, sometimes risable - and sometimes as a shockingly culpable fabulist and liar. Minimal foxing to the page edges. 509 pages. Seller Inventory # 1582545
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