"IT REMINDED ME OF THE ENGLISH PATIENT- in the very defined and rich personalities of the lead characters, that are at the same time very different and very complementary. The central decades-lasting friendship between the four central characters, develops amidst real historical events. It is indeed a rare gem". (Taleflick assessment).New edition September 2020. Book One: 1840-1965 A deeply personal account of being born into what was first Southern Rhodesia, then Rhodesia. Jill Baker grew up as a white girl whose best playmates, until she went to school, were three amaNdebele boys. The paths each of their lives took could not have been more divergent. THE HORNS is founded on careful historical research into valuable, but scarce, generational Matebele and Mashona oral histories; vastly differing and biased accounts from early missionaries, pioneers, hunters, miners and traders; and records from government and parliamentary archives as well as the British South Africa Company. The historical skeleton holds this story firmly in place. The Horns is presented as storytelling - oral storytelling - as practised in the passing on of oral history in African culture, sometimes indulging in the nostalgic prose of cherished memories, sometimes in the practical narration of the observations of young children making mud cattle, the terror of a teenager in acute distress, or the wise words of experience and learning from an older generation.RESPONSES: "What I have heard you say tonight is reconciliation for our hurting nation." was the comment from an African member of the Harare Rotary Club in Johannesburg.Sharon Maphosa "I’m eager for more informative stories from you gogo, you are truly making waves in the minds of all Africans, thank you so much"READER REVIEWS: Georgie Knaggs: The book ends abruptly in a farm store, some six months after Rhodesia issues its unilateral declaration of independence from the United kingdom. I know - and I don’t know - what comes next. Already I feel a raw frustration mixed with dread ... but I want to read on and I hope many others will get the chance to do so too. These stories are part of our history and THE HORNS is a rare chance to see many viewpoints brought together. Thanks to Jill Baker for setting them down”. Kennedy Mavunganidze: "You have a gift of writing and telling the stories. I have learned a lot after reading your book. You might as well think of turning the book into a movie!" hetta2: "The sadness of Zimbabwe. If you love Africa you must read this - beautifully written from personal experience and historically accurate. The author was born and grew up in Southern Rhodesia with a keen eye for the nuances of the time - thorough research revealing such facts as Cecil Rhodes was a mentor to the Africans and they wanted to work for him I look forward to books 2 and 3" Martin McGhee UK: ”The Horns is up there with some of the best books on Africa I have read in many years. Eat your heart out Wilbur and you, Mr Ruark, look to your bushlore laurels”. Heather Cape Town: I am so enjoying your book. Devouring it! Never felt it in my bones before - the zhiii of the spears must have been terrifying.MEDIA REVIEWS: Knysna and Plett Herald : "Author Jill Baker is currently in South Africa to promote her book the Horns, book one of the Zambezi Trilogy. Baker has conducted meticulous research, scanning original diary entries from the likes of Cecil John Rhodes, gold diggers, and government archival documents. These vignettes make the book come alive. You will laugh out loud, pull out your hair in utter despair and learn a lot. A must read. News 24 - Mthulisi Ncube Jill Baker's book, The Horns: "ZAPU leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa launched The HORNS through his Foundation at the Bulawayo Theatre. A must read book for Mthwakazi. Spread the message about this book!" Toni: Only problem is . . . "where's Book 2?"
Jill Baker was a journalist, broadcaster and producer in Rhodesia then Zimbabwe, before emigrating to Australia to manage a radio station, then run her own company specialising in tourism consultancy and corporate incentives.
Her life has not left much time for her developing passion for writing.
Beloved African was published by Covos Day in South Africa in 2000, subsequently produced in three editions with sales internationally of around 15,000 copies. Beloved African is a fulfilling, but ultimately heartbreaking story of great love and enormous endeavour - a biography of her headmaster father as he battled to educate enough young Africans sufficiently well to be able to eventually take over the government of the country. He was desperate to secure at least one more educated generation, before events overtook him.
However it was 18 years later before her second book THE HORNS, book one of The Zambezi Trilogy was published in July 2018. 8 years of research underpins this work of historical fiction tracing the lives of its four characters as they revisit the short colonial history of Rhodesia, the last of Britain's colonies.
Having established one organisation, Co-Ord-A-Nation, in Rhodesia to help the women of the country, black and white, cope with the exigencies of guerrilla warfare, she did the same in forming the Zimbabwe Connection in Australia - to help Zimbabweans of many skills and disciplines affected by the domino effects of the takeover of farms from the year 2000, to immigrate to Australia.
Jill was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2005.
She is a member of the Australian Society of Authors
