All Formats & Editions

This story is fiction based in part on the life of Robert A. Boyd while he served in the United States Air Force in the mid 1960's. The story centers around the US Military during a time of civil unrest in America and the uncertanty of survival if a man joined the US Military... Read Full Overview

A masterly story of myth, rebellion, love, friendship and betrayal from one of Africa's great writers, Ngugi wa Thiong'o's A Grain of Wheat includes an introduction by Abdulrazak Gurnah, author of By the Sea, in Penguin Modern Classics.

In the days immediately preceeding Kenyan independence, Mugo, a local farmer and hero of the villagers, is asked to make a speech honouring the memory of his friend Kihika, who was hanged by the colonial administrators.