South African author a success

Julian Rademeyer, author of Killing for Profit, spoke to Patterson about his all-encompassing African story, a moving account of one man’s single-minded dedication to the preservation of Africa’s wildlife and, more particularly, for that of the lion. Patterson said, “My Lion’s Heart is my tenth book, and is probably the most important book I have written. It tells my life story, a story of tears and smiles, about my attempts to greater protect the iconic animal symbol of this continent, the African lion.”

The room was packed with anticipated guests wanting to hear a reading from Patterson’s latest tale. Patterson gave the audience a brief overview about his inspirations behind the book. He also explained how books and ‘wild life warriors’ has allowed the public to tap into the behavior of wildlife, especially lions.

“My loose definition of ‘wildlife warrior’ in Africa would be those people who made the continent their home, who would give their life for the animals, and by their determined actions and life long study in the field, and the books they have written, have created world-wide public awareness about the creatures that became the epicentre of their life’s work.

The generation of wildlife warriors following the veterans include the ‘elephant women’ Joyce Poole; Cynthia Moss; Soila Saiyiele and Andrea Turkalo, who are still very active in championing their cause. “At fifty years old, I am the youngest of this generation,” Although I have written other books dealing with portions of my life, I wanted to write an all-encompassing African story to include my early childhood in West and East Africa, continuing my life as a human member of a lions’ pride, seeing life and death through its eyes,” he said.

He went onto explain that a mental depression had taken over him and writing this book allowed him to exercise his passions for wildlife and allowing him to reconnect to the cause. A signed, out-of-print copy of one of Gareth’s previous books, Cry for the Lions, was auctioned and R9 000 was raised for the Campaign Against Canned Hunting organisation.