Bookshelf Showcase: Bite and Blow

The Autobiography of the Illustrious Togba-Nah Tipoteh

If you know anything about African History, specifically Liberian history, then you would have definitely heard of Togba-Nah Tipoteh who is a household name in Liberia. He is most notably known for his involvement in the promotion of human rights, liberties, constitutional rule and growth-with-development in Liberia and across Africa.

His autobiography Bite and Blow provides an insight into his epic life story as a boy growing up in Liberia, his experiences and how they helped shape the man he is today. It is not only a fascinating read, but it also serves as an excellent historical reference for Liberia. As he transitions between events, people and places, the story unfolds to reveal moments in time that have contributed to make Liberia what it is today.

Here is an excerpt from his book:

Born in Monrovia on July 17, 1941, I began growing up in Old Kru Town located by the Atlantic Ocean on the northwestern tip of Liberia’s Capital City, now called West Point Township. For children the beach became the playground. The beach was also a toilet ground not only for children but for adults as well. Some of the children who were good in swimming went along with adults, mainly their fathers and uncles, to do some fishing.

The standard two person canoe was called the Kru Canoe. Actually, the word kru is wrongly but popularly, used to refer to people like me from the Krao Ethnic Group. The word kru is commonly considered to have come from the word crew, which refers to workers on ships, as many men from the Krao Ethnic Group served as workers on ships. Up to this date, many people, Krao and others, use the word Kru to call the Krao people.

My Father, Korwreh Duwree Togba, known publicly as Samuel Togba Roberts and my Mother, Geenah Wreh Kai, known also as Victoria Kai Roberts, were School Teachers while my Mother served as a Nurse as well. Their professional work played the main role in promoting my education. My Parents brought up children who were blood and non-blood related. During the 1950s, there were some 23 children living in my Parents’ home. Nine of these children were blood-related. The idea of not making any difference between these two types of children was at the center of the bringing up of the children under my Parents’ care.

You can read more of his story by purchasing the eBook which is available for the following platforms:

  • Amazon Kindle
  • Nook
  • Kobo

You can find out more about the book and how to purchase the eBook from here.

At the time of writing this article, Bite and Blow is only available in eBook format but it may soon become available in print and we'll update you if and when that happens.

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