NEW! Just Published:

"More than Cheese for Supper"

A selection of Anti-Apartheid Short Stories
Written in the 1950s-1970s

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Michael John (Mike) Sadler (1922-2002) was born in Lourenço Marques (Maputo), Moçambique, to Methodist missionary parents and educated at Kingswood College, in Grahamstown, South Africa.

In 1939, aged 17, he volunteered to serve with the South African Artillery as a signaller.  He saw action in North Africa, was captured at Tobruk and spent three years as a Prisoner of War in Italy and Austria.  His experiences provided him with recollections and stories with which he regaled his children, grandchildren and students in countless English and History classes.

After World War II, Mike studied to become a teacher at Natal University in Pietermaritzburg, teaching for several years at the Lovedale Mission in Alice.  Following the passing of the 1953 Bantu Education Act in South Africa, he joined the British Overseas Civil Service in Northern Rhodesia. He served as an Education Officer for the ‘bush’ schools and a college lecturer on the Copperbelt ending up as the founding principal of Mufulira Teacher Training College.

Following  Zambian independence in 1964, and after a short spell at Waterford School in Swaziland, Mike returned to Grahamstown teaching first at Graeme College and later at Grahamstown Teacher Training College.  In 1977 he emigrated to England and served as manager of the Missions to Seamen Flying Angel Club, at the National Sea School at Gravesend. 

On retirement he began writing English Language textbooks aimed at an African audience together with a series of novels written to appeal to young non-English-speaking readers with limited vocabularies.  

Eventually, he published ‘The War Story of Soldier 124280’.





Autobiographical
"The War Story of Soldier 124280"
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"History is the essence of innumerable biographies" (Thomas Carlyle)


This website serves only to catalogue the works of Mike Sadler and provide background information or links to places where his books can be purchased or further related resources can be found. For any queries please email: info@mikesadlerbooks.com 

Books, Stories and Writings by Mike Sadler

The Lonely Stranger Perhaps his most popular work with its "Wild West" theme and strong moral sensibilities. The Lonely Stranger has sold many thousands of copies, and been translated to a number of languages including Xhosa and Zulu. 
"'We want to make friends.', says Big Bull to the people of Lithakong. But Fani does not trust Big Bull and his Warriors. What do they really want ? Does the mysterious man dressed in black have the answer ?" 

The Mystery of Mister E  A classic and fast moving adventure tale  
 with larger-than-life characters, plot and storyline.
"Nani and Hammer live in Motsani Game Park in Botswana. When their cousin, Shakespear, visits them from Soweto their adventures begin. Poachers are killing animals in the park. Can the boy from the city help  to trap them"



The Secret Valley  Full of intrigue and suspense, this nail-biting story unfolds. Based on true life experiences.
"Bupe's father is an education officer in Northern Zambia. When children begin to disappear from a school in a remote area Bupe and his father go to investigate. Then Bupe disappears too!"


The Lovers of Lapula 
" Violence threatens to destroy the relationship between Nomalanga, young, rich and beautiful, and Themba, who grew up on the wrong side of the town." 




Saved from the Sea    
Written under the name of Mikele Qanela (which is "Mike Sadler" in Xhosa ) this sailing adventure has action, romance and mystery all in one thrilling story.
Note: This book is out of print