New Release: Stephen Cook’s Memoir ‘Nice Life, Dirty War’ Unveils a Forgotten Era

Stephen Cook (LaA, MaB 61-66), has released his powerful memoir Nice Life, Dirty War.

Until Stephen became a student at Christ’s Hospital at the age of 11, he lived in Kenya among the last generation of emigrants to Britain’s African empire.

While his family was there the Mau Mau rebellion against colonial rule broke out and was ruthlessly suppressed, but hastened the country’s independence in 1963.

Nice Life, Dirty War is his account of a colonial childhood which seemed idyllic at the time but was later tarnished by shocking evidence about what went on in the forests, interrogation centres and prison camps.

Cook’s memoir is published by Quadrant Books and is available to purchase here.