Save more with business pricing
$2.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Lucinda E Clarke
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Truth, Lies & Propaganda: in Africa (Truth, Lies and Propaganda Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Lucinda E Clarke (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 81 ratings
Lucinda 'fell' into writing by chance, moving from radio to television, to running her own production company in South Africa. She lifts the lid on what really goes on behind the scenes in the media, often hilarious and not at all glamorous. She spent more time on rubbish dumps than in banqueting halls, although she got to meet many famous people.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    253 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 29, 2014
  5. File size
    1.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Truth, Lies & Propaganda in Africa (Truth, Lies and Propaganda Book 1) by Lucinda E. Clarke is an engaging and powerful memoir that takes readers on a journey from that of a primary school teacher, to announcing on the radio, to scriptwriting for radio and television, and then branching out into the world of video production. The author focuses more on her stint with the SABC, and she gives readers a peek of what it is like to work on radio and television, with humor and wit, and reveals that it is not at all glamorous to work behind the scenes if you are in the media. For all those who want to know what goes on behind the camera, this memoir is a good read and also explains how programmes are put together.

The book is interesting and readers get an insight on what it was like to be an expatriate and live in apartheid, South Africa. The author chronicles many funny incidents she has experienced while working with the media and she speaks about them extensively. The book also throws light on the political world and gives an inside look into the author's entertaining experiences and adventures. I found the author's experiences challenging and she captures the attention of readers with her excellent style of writing and good narration. The memoir is an eye-opener for readers who are caught up in the glamour of radio and television, and many times the author's frustrations and difficulties are palpable while one is reading.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00QE35BO2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Umhlanga Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 29, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 81 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lucinda E Clarke

Lucinda E Clarke

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Lucinda E Clarke was born in Dublin but has lived in 8 other countries to date. She wanted to write but was railroaded into teaching. She fell into other careers; radio announcer, riding school owner, sewing giant teddy bears. She began scriptwriting professionally in 1986 winning over 20 awards. She also wrote mayoral speeches, company reports, drama documentaries, educational programmes, adverts, news inserts, court presentations, videos for National Geographic, cookery programmes and street theatre to name but a few!

She lectured in scriptwriting, had her own column in various publications, and wrote articles for national magazines. She was commissioned for two educational books by Heinemann and Macmillan, and book reports for UNESCO and UNICEF.

She set up and ran her own video production company in South Africa.

"Walking Over Eggshells" was her first self-published book, an autobiography describing the emotional abuse she suffered from early childhood and subsequent travels and adventures.

She published her second book a novel, "Amie: African Adventure" in July 2014, which was a #1 bestseller in genre on both sides of the Atlantic.

Lucinda's third book "Truth, Lies, and Propaganda", was followed by "More Truth, Lies and Propaganda" - memoirs about her career in the print and broadcast media, highlighting South Africa and its people.

"Amie Savage Safari" is the 5th in the Amie in Africa award-winning series - the world's most reluctant and incompetent spy is in trouble again.

In 2019 Lucinda changed genre and published the first in a series of psychological thrillers. “A Year in the life of Leah Brand” was followed by “A Year in the Life of Andrea Coe.” Book 3 is due out in September 2020.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
81 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fascinating memoir that provides real insight into South Africa, with one review noting how it captures the sense of time and place beautifully. Moreover, they appreciate the writing style, with one customer highlighting the author's ability to write with great detail and humor. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its honesty and entertainment value.

Select to learn more

ReadabilityWriting qualityHumorInsightNarrative qualityHonesty
11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and fascinating, with one describing it as a great adventure.

"Detailed, funny, and honest, this book is a fascinating book that takes the reader through the experiences of the author in the beginnings of her..." Read more

"...to get into this one totally; regardless, Lucinda's life has been interesting beyond measure...." Read more

"...readable - a good thing to have in this genre - and fascinating at the same time." Read more

"...the bone it is the story of the author's early years in radio...a great adventure...one most of us would have loved to have done...a nice enjoyable..." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting the author's great detail and humor, while another mentions their varied background in all aspects of writing careers.

"...down to this: "Truth, Lies & Propaganda: In Africa" is a well written look at what it takes to be a writer and it is a book that I highly..." Read more

"...script writing (to name a few) are quite amazing and she writes with great detail and humor...." Read more

"...It's eminently readable - a good thing to have in this genre - and fascinating at the same time." Read more

"...She has such an engaging tone in her writing that I felt as though I was sitting having a cup of tea with her, listening to her chat about her ups..." Read more

9 customers mention "Humor"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as quirky and entertaining.

"Detailed, funny, and honest, this book is a fascinating book that takes the reader through the experiences of the author in the beginnings of her..." Read more

"...The book is filled with humor, often tongue-in-cheek...." Read more

"...This book, however, was very entertaining, enlightening, and superbly written, by a woman who has clearly struggled and toiled for her writing..." Read more

"...people's life experiences you will enjoy this book - told with wit, humor, and real to the bone it is the story of the author's early years in radio..." Read more

8 customers mention "Insight"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insight into South African politics, with one customer noting it's the best way to learn history.

"Detailed, funny, and honest, this book is a fascinating book that takes the reader through the experiences of the author in the beginnings of her..." Read more

"...she undertook her assignments and she makes some sharp observations about life in South Africa both during and after apartheid...." Read more

"...It gives you insight into the political world--where in Libya she had a bayonet next to her throat while she broadcast while Gaddafi was in the area..." Read more

"...This book, however, was very entertaining, enlightening, and superbly written, by a woman who has clearly struggled and toiled for her writing..." Read more

6 customers mention "Narrative quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the narrative of the book, describing it as a fascinating memoir with well-captured historical elements and a strong sense of time and place.

"...I loved getting the history elements, too. It's always interesting to learn about somebody's path in life. Overall, a compelling read!" Read more

"...This is a recollection, and a fascinating one at that, of what it was like and what she saw...." Read more

"...This memoire had me completely fascinated and I couldn’t put it down. What an incredible woman Ms. Clark is...." Read more

"...The sense of time and place is beautifully captured, as is the appreciation of what it would have been like for a woman working in a male dominated..." Read more

3 customers mention "Honesty"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty, with one describing it as "real to the bone."

"Detailed, funny, and honest, this book is a fascinating book that takes the reader through the experiences of the author in the beginnings of her..." Read more

"...experiences you will enjoy this book - told with wit, humor, and real to the bone it is the story of the author's early years in radio...a great..." Read more

"...The author writes with humor and honesty. I quite enjoyed the book.." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amy Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Honesty and Humor
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Detailed, funny, and honest, this book is a fascinating book that takes the reader through the experiences of the author in the beginnings of her career. I don't know a lot about Libya and South Africa, so I was interested in those places. I also don't know much about radio and TV, and found it interesting to see it from a behind the scenes viewpoint. I loved getting the history elements, too. It's always interesting to learn about somebody's path in life. Overall, a compelling read!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Mike Billington author of Murder in the Rainy Season
    5.0 out of 5 stars A well-written look at the life of a writer
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Writers are not cut from the same cloth as most other people.
    I know engineers, for example, who, when unable to find work in their chosen profession, have done other things to earn their daily bread. Some drive taxi cabs, others sell insurance, and a few have gone to law school and are now attorneys who specialize in arcane subjects related to their previous occupations.
    Writers, on the other hand, write.
    They write regardless of what they are paid, regardless of the conditions they are often forced to work under.
    They can't help it.
    (I know this first hand, having been a writer for most of my adult life.)
    Lucinda E. Clarke is a writer. Even early in her life as a working woman, when she was teaching school or running a riding academy, she wrote.
    It didn't matter what: Radio dramas, television scripts, documentaries, textbooks, magazine articles... if it involved putting words on paper (or on a computer screen) Clarke was willing to take on the challenge because, in the end, it meant that she could write.
    Just how important writing is to her comes through clearly in her memoir "Truth, Lies & Propaganda: In Africa." She writes, albeit with a light touch, of her adventures working in Libya and South Africa while raising two children and coping with her ex-husband and his penchant for changing jobs with blinding speed. Those must have been difficult days but Clarke tells her story without complaint, reminding the reader often just how privileged she felt that she was able to support herself and her family by doing what she loves best.
    Writing.
    Her career and mine are different in many ways. I spent most of my life as a journalist working for newspapers and wire services. Clarke spent most of her career working in radio and television.
    But we do share some common ground. Deadlines, bosses that never seemed to know what they wanted, and people who were reluctant to talk with us are just a few.
    More than that, however, we share one very important trait: The love of writing.
    It is that love that colors our lives in rich, rainbow shades and allows us to withstand the slings and arrows of low pay and everything else up to, and including, the less-than-enthusiastic response of family and friends when they discover that we are bound hand and foot to writing for a living. .
    (My father, for example, went to his grave wondering just when - or if - I was ever going to get a "real job.")
    Clarke recounts her adventures - both good and bad - with a clear eye for detail but does not bog her narrative down with unnecessary rambling. She also doesn't flinch when recounting the problems she faced as she undertook her assignments and she makes some sharp observations about life in South Africa both during and after apartheid. Her descriptions of the people she met and the places she went put the reader "in the moment" and her narrative flows smoothly from chapter to chapter.
    It comes down to this: "Truth, Lies & Propaganda: In Africa" is a well written look at what it takes to be a writer and it is a book that I highly recommend.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Reads4fun
    4.0 out of 5 stars I love Lucinda Clarke
    Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I love Lucinda Clarke. Her books are very entertaining and eye opening. For whatever the reason, I just couldn't seem to get into this one totally; regardless, Lucinda's life has been interesting beyond measure. Her many challenging jobs in broadcasting and script writing (to name a few) are quite amazing and she writes with great detail and humor. I can honestly say I've never known anyone who has had a more interesting life.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truth, Lies & Propaganda: in Africa
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The author describes the book as a story of how she came to be a writer, first for radio and later for television. She shows you an inside look at both. However, the book is so much more than a look at the broadcast world. It gives you insight into the political world--where in Libya she had a bayonet next to her throat while she broadcast while Gaddafi was in the area and in South Africa she had to one day write about how bad potatoes were and soon after tell the world all their benefits. It wasn't all politics, however. A social element crept its way into her work as she wrote scripts intended for the betterment of the health and living of the poor.

    All her attempts did not fare well. Even with the best intents, the author states "many instances demonstrated ignorance about other cultures." Even some of the government's attempts failed. "Clashes between the modern world and the traditional African way of life, and it’s something many of us were not even aware of." Most often, the author never knew the outcome of her attempts to improve the lives of the poverty-stricken.

    Her stories are as many as the topics contained within the Encyclopedia Britannica she bought when she had to learn about cows and chickens for an animal health program. The book is filled with humor, often tongue-in-cheek. I loved the line: "I thought was my best smile, but in return he looked rather startled, so perhaps it was more of a leer."

    This is definitely a book you'll want to pick up if you have any interest in the broadcast world or in other cultures.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Eric Lahti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Memoir
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    First up, this a memoir of one remarkable woman's work in South Africa as, among other things, a TV writer. It starts with her work as a radio writer in Libya and moves with her to South Africa. This is a recollection, and a fascinating one at that, of what it was like and what she saw. At times you feel the author's frustration with the people she's dealing with and at others you want to laugh out loud with her. I've been to a lot of different places, but never to Africa. In truth, the whole continent still holds an air of mystery to me. This memoir did a fantastic job of pulling back the covers of South Africa and letting us see the people inside. It's eminently readable - a good thing to have in this genre - and fascinating at the same time.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Moonboy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating writer's journey
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is a book of memoirs from the author's life, about her journey as a writer. The most remarkable feature is that this journey takes place mainly overseas (mostly in South Africa) which makes everything so much more interesting.

    She gives up her reasonably secure job as a teacher and takes her chances as a full-time writer. The going is tough, the income uncertain, but it seems well worth the risk she takes when we arrive at the time where she has so much work coming in that she can earn in one day the same as she could make as a teacher in one month at a neighbourhood school. She gets work scriptwriting for radio and television, and provides riveting glimpses of the utter stupidity that can prevail in corporate business life where one is often compelled to leave one's own brain behind and blindly follow the workings of someone else's brain which is operating marginally above the level of an Orangutan's. I could really empathise there, having had similar experience myself.

    Most of all, though, it is about doing something she loves to do even if frequently, for financial reasons, she has to write what other people want her to write, simply churning out a product that is required.

    I would have liked the characters she met to have come a bit more alive through descriptions of their physical features, mannerisms, peculiarities, eccentricities etc which would have added more comic value to the narrative, but this is probably because I do fiction. Also, understandably, someone from the past might take issue with the way they have been portrayed.

    The sheer unpredictability and unexpectedness of events in a foreign setting is very effective in keeping the reader's attention. One gets the impression that although a lot has happened since the time she writes about in the technological sense, nevertheless from a human point of view nothing much else has changed (since human beings never do change). So, basically, it could all happen again in very much the same way--and very likely continues to do so! In this respect, then, this book is utterly fascinating. It is easy to stay with it in eager anticipation of what strange events may be about to happen next. There are many wonderful passages like; "I pushed my feelings to one side and climbed on the Happy Clappy bandwagon for as long as it took to write the series. But even I was quite taken aback at the opulence of some of the buildings which were a focus for huge congregations each Sunday. They did not pass the collection plate around during the service as I was used to seeing as a child. No, here it was large buckets or wicker baskets large enough to hold a four-year-old." Terrific stuff!

    Most of all, for me personally, what came across most forcefully was this author's stamina, courage, good humour, perseverance and sheer hard work in facing all kinds of people and situations to emerge just as proud of her profession as a writer as she had ever been. Always so cool. So dignified. She is a shining example to all us writers.

    And now I've changed my mind. This book is really an adventure story. A true adventure story. The very best!
    Report
  • T. R. Robinson
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Versatile Lady
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Another intriguing memoir that provides further insight into African culture. Though this memoir stands on its own without the need to have read any of the author’s other books, readers would benefit from having read Lucinda’s more personal, award winning, memoir ‘Walking Over Eggshells’. Even if the reader choses not to read it now, it is recommended.

    This memoir is initially based upon the author’s experiences as the writer of African radio and television programmes, some voluntary and others to order, or perhaps it would be better to say ‘as ordered’. As usual Lucinda’s humorous, self-deprecating, easy style flows carrying the reader along with her as she embarks upon a number of ‘adventures’ in the radio and television world: finding herself not only writing the programmes but also having to produce, organise and carry out most of the support work; eventually, managing her own video production company; and regularly writing for magazines. Throughout the author’s versatility is in clear evidence though she is no way boastful or arrogant about her abilities. Nonetheless, the reader will be impressed by her multiple and varied competences and proficiency: she was also a school teacher for much of the time.

    Most of the radio and television programmes were related to social, political and commercial aspects of African culture. The social ones in particular were intended to try and pursued the locals to adopt improved life styles and to utilise modern facilities as the government made them available e.g. electric lighting, indoor toilets, etc. Some commercial enterprises, for who the author was also employed to write and produce, were also geared to the improvement of individual lives, for example, using toothpaste. In relating these the author provides the reader with insight into the living conditions and attitudes of the poor who formed the prevalent portion of the African societies within which she lived and worked.

    Lucinda’s accounts clearly show how politicians and commercial enterprises try to manipulate the media. Frequently she tries to bring a balance and to present the information in a more suitable and understandable format, even though the commissioning parties have ordered specific restraints and formats, which were not necessarily easy for locals to understand. Sometimes she gets away with it at other times not. All provide a very interesting insight into how politics and commerce operate and it is not too hard to see the attitudes revealed are probably representative of such behaviour round the world, no matter if a first or third world nation.

    To some it may appear, due to the primary subject matter, this would be a dull read. IT IS NOT. It is interesting, relevant and entertaining and shows how, with a determined mind, someone may change situations and circumstances to benefit.
    Report
  • Julie Haigh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 8, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Lucinda E Clarke's memoir Walking Over Eggshells-this was such a powerful memoir that I was hungry for more and went straight from that onto this book. This is quite a different ball game. It's a much lighter book-it's not concerned with her life story as such-you got that in the Walking Over Eggshells. I was concerned at first; after just having given Lucinda's first book a very well-deserved five star rating and been absolutely blown away by it that this may be not as good-how could she top or equal that brilliant offering? Anyway, Walking Over Eggshells was at times a harrowing read and a chronological look through her life. This book seems to be a series of anecdotes, funny stories and memories from her time in Radio and TV Production. It's written just as though Lucinda is talking to you, telling you her memories and is a much lighter read than her first book. I loved it! It has some hilarious moments and you just honestly wouldn't believe some of these situations, the things people do, so funny! You learn some tricks of the trade, for example, how sound effects are created on radio. Then, she moves onto TV and it's so interesting (and funny as she's quite squeamish!) to read about her experiences in broadcasting in the medical field. Very interesting to me was the dental stuff as my sister is a dental nurse and I have been used to some of her gory stories on her returning from work so subjects like these do have a fascination to me. Then she's working with the Veterinary Dept-making documentaries, this is very interesting. She is observing laser surgery on a cow, and there's a comical remark at the end due to her not being able to stomach this so easily! Then we have acupuncture for animals. I found it absolutely unbelievable the lengths the locals would go to re the water-I won't say any more so I don't give anything away. Voice-over-I found this so funny! It's very entertaining going behind the scenes with Lucinda and finding out more and more tricks of the trade-fascinating. She's so fun and funny! Ha ha, we have revelations eg on Cookery Shows-remember the old 'here's one I did earlier'? She has so many stories to tell, a wealth of experience. She's interviewed some famous Sports Personalities and it's so funny to read about her lack of enthusiasm with all this! Such an interesting and varied book! She has lived in eight different countries, worked lots of different jobs including teaching, Radio and TV. So many experiences, so many anecdotes, so many times she tells how they 'got around' some sort of problem recording a programme for TV and it's all told with her trademark humour-you can hear her fun-loving snigger coming through the writing. Lovely-can't wait for more!
    Report
  • Ian Mathie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and compelling, and yet disturbing truth
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Rarely does one get such a flavoursome mixture of personal experience and life stories at the same time as an intimate insight into one of the sectors that most influences all our lives. How many of us really understand the extent to which all the information we receive from the mass media, whether in print journalism, broadcast on radio, or through film and television, is so extensively managed and adapted that it often bears only passing resemblance to reality? When the truth is laid bare by an insider, as Lucinda Clarke’s book shows, it is quite shocking and makes one wonder just how much news one can ever believe.
    The say the camera doesn’t lie, but we all know that it can. After reading Lies, Truth and Propaganda in Africa we understand how the manipulation and politicking actually works. By sharing her life experience in all these media formats, interspersed with intimate details about what life in South Africa was like under both the Apartheid and post Mandela regimes, Lucinda opens doorways that give us a new and clearer perspective. The distortion of messages required by those commissioning her work was shocking, and the fact that she was obliged to quit the country and make her home in Europe after so many years of loyal service, speaks for itself as testimony to the political bias.
    Having said this, it is remarkable that she has managed to deliver such a comprehensive exopsé without resorting to vindictive outrage or to personal criticism of individuals in positions of influence or power. This adds to the believability of her account and makes what is already a fascinating read a very powerful account.
    Lucinda E. Clarke is a master wordsmith who never disappoints. She writes in a clear, easy to read style that carries her reader onwards. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all with an interest in the media or in Africa.
    Report
  • MacTrish
    5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary account of a resourceful woman
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’ve read several books by this author. She is an accomplished novelist, but I also love her autobiographical accounts such as this one. Her experiences are brought to life by her writing – and she’s had some amazing experiences!
    In this book we learn about her forays into African radio broadcasting, starting with writing links between programmes to full-on scripts, to actually producing and directing. All of these skills were achieved with next to no warning and whilst juggling family and, initially, a full-time job teaching. Her first scripts were written on a typewriter that was missing the letter ‘n’…
    It’s an honest, very moving and often hilarious account of the obstacles facing her and how her quick wit took her over them. Much of the humour is at her own expense, but underlying her quirky lifestyle there is a determination to do the job she’s given and do it to the very best of her ability. She isn’t afraid to take on challenges and at the end of the book she tells us that she has won, “20 awards for scripting, directing, concept and producing, and had two educational text books published” These achievements are in Africa which makes them even more remarkable.
    The author’s sensitivity to African culture comes across well and I learned a great deal from this book. I highly recommend it to you!
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report