While these are not as comprehensive as the books and the course above, here are two cane fighting freebies I found on the internet: He has since been called upon to talk on the subject of the Brixton riots, most prominently in the 2006 BBC programme "Battle for Brixton". His early books are based on experiences from his life living in Brixton as a teenager and his time in social services care. Wheatle says in his afterword, '[t]here is no doubt that the British Empire was one of the most brutal and unforgiving in world history'. The awful atrocities and dehumanising viciousness of the British overseers in Cane Warriors is difficult to read, but is especially important considering that the predominant narrative in this country of British colonialism as a liberal, liberating, benevolent and heroic force is so pervasive as to be taken for granted. This middle-grade/young adult book is not for the faint of heart. It is bloody, violent and ruthless. In contrast to these brutal events, Wheatle writes lyrically and with nuance.. . Cane Warriorscenters the voice of the enslaved rather than white abolitionists. In this way, readers face the reality of enslaved people who fought for their own freedom.’ World of Words Recommends It's written in Pigeon English, which I don't have any problem with, just at some points it made it a little hard to understand. But, to be honest, it really contributed to the effect.

Giving voice to characters seldom heard in British children’s books, this is an important, powerful novel about hope, freedom and brotherhood.' The Observer - Young adult books round up review Alex Wheatle's prose is what truly drew me into this story, it is beautifully written, and hard to put down. This is a story that needs to be told. This is history that must not be forgotten. The fight against injustice must continue! I would highly recommend this to anyone at all - ESPECIALLY if this is your first historical fiction to read. The only thing is, there's a bit of profanity and quite a few graphically gory scenes, so brace yourselves. But overall? This was amazing!

Synopsis

superb foray into historical fiction...this intense, affecting story of courage, bloodshed and commitment to freedom at all costs' The Guardian - Children's books roundup

And while on his journey, the reader is exposed to the evil that is slavery and the slave trade. However, it (thankfully as reading that kind of stuff hurts the soul) does not go into extreme detail of the violence, as the violence is not entertainment like a horror but it doesn't pull any punches in showing the reader the reality of this harsh life from the position of a slave. You also see that for many, death is preferable to the life as a slave that they have to endure. Cane Warriors is not the first time that Wheatle has delved into historical fiction. His Island Songs (2005) charted the movement of Jamaicans from the island to Brixton in the early part of the 20 th century. What is special about Island Songs is the focus on the women and the telling of the stories from their perspective. For me, the heavyweight is a small price to pay for a cane that's unbreakable. The Ka-Bar is a buy-it-for-life item. I haven't met anyone who's managed to break theirs. (If you have, let me know in the comments.) A: When I attended school, I recall learning about the battle of Hastings, King Harold and how he lost his eye, the Spanish Armada, Henry the eighth and his six wives and other canonical topics of British history. There was an absence of any narrative from the Caribbean that related the existence of my ancestors or their lived experience. I had watched Roots when it was first broadcast on British television in the mid 1970s, and it affected me deeply. It was only when I moved to Brixton as a teenager that I first learned about Caribbean slave revolts. Reggae music was a gateway for me. I would listen to Bob Marley’s Slave Driver on a cassette tape in the late 1970s and Dennis Brown recorded his own version in the early 1980s. I guess writing Cane Warriors, I simply wanted to write a tale that brought me the excitement and sense of discovery when I found Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and so many other reggae artists.

I enjoyed how Cane Warriors uses a lot of patois in the book to remain authentic to the voice of Jamaican enslaved people and thought this was very effective. Officially, self-defense canes are considered medical devices for seniors - not weapons. They are perfectly legal and you don't need to register them with the authorities. You can store small items in the hollowed-out shaft – cash, spare keys, paracord, small knife – for emergency situations. Just keep in mind that the items will show up on scanners in courthouses and airports. It is why I refuse to shy away from writing about the harsh social conditions of my Crongtonnovels. As I write, there is a young person out there somewhere who is confronted with similar scenarios and choices in Liccle Bit, Crongton Knights, Home Girland Straight Outta Crongton. The importance of this book cannot be overstated. Alex Wheatle takes the truth, and creates fiction to illuminate that truth. He too is a warrior. A word warrior.I saw my ancestors in this book, and now I know that Alex and I really are brothers.’ Benjamin Zephaniah