Three Sips of Gin: Dominating the Battlespace with Rhodesia's Elite Selous Scouts Paperback – Illustrated, 15 April 2013

Having recently rediscovered my Rhodesian heritage and pride, I started to read all my current books based on the Rhodesian Bush War. Once I had ploughed through those, I was hungry for more and started to see what else was available. I was overwhelmed by the multitude of new books written by ex-Rhodesian forces personnel and was spoilt for choice. Where to start? During my research, one name and one book kept coming to the forefront from reviewers and Rhodesians and that was Tim Bax - Three Sips Of Gin.I had recently discovered a wealth of Rhodesian Forces tribute and contact sites on the internet, especially Facebook and in my browsing actually found Tim taking part in various discussions. After following his posts and thoughts, I knew I just had to get his book and I wasn't disappointed. It is an incredible journey from boyhood to man, from africa to canada to africa and america. Along the way you are gripped with tension, relieved with humour, warmed with human spirit and left with the feeling that this is someone you want to call friend. You want to meet Tim Bax, sit around a braai fire and listen while he fills his pipe and shares the wisdom of a life spent learning so many nuggets of knowledge from his own heroes and mentors.Like so many people before me, I finally learnt what the three sips meant. As I read each page, I was trying to put my finger on the meaning and, perfectly written, the book edged me closer to the answer until all was revealed.An astonishing book that everybody should read. It has been an honour to have not only read Tim's book but to have since corresponded with him. I very much hope that one day I will be able meet him person and ask the vital question: 'Whisky or Gin, Tim?'.

A very interesting look into the journey of one man journey through life. The author describes his life from birth in Africa, growing up in Canada, journeying to South Africa and joining the RLI. His commissioning and journey into the Selous Scouts, the bush war and it's after math. The author finishes off the story with his subsequent life in South Africa. This book has it all, action, pathos, tragedy and the unique humour of Rhodesians. Recommended VERY highly

Great book about life in Africa in 1950’s to 1970’s. Very light and not your average military book. Great insight and very balanced book. Couldn’t put it down

Very readable., interesting and enjoyable account. It shows what a tightly knit and supremely courageous people the Rhodesians were. No racial bias shown anywhere - only the hapless Portuguese shown up for their incompetence. It continues to make my blood boil to think how this great country was betrayed and sold down the river by Thatcher and Carrington. Without sanctions and left to their own devices, Rhodesia could have become a jewel in southern Africa. Instead it was ruined by the evil brute Mugabe and his murderous, corrupt cronies.

I was a little disappointed in this book. The details of the author's service with the RLI and the Selous Scouts are extraordinary and fascinating, the section of the book dealing with his later life in South Africa much less so. Clearly he was a courageous, intelligent and successful individual but the anecdotes of his South African career paint him out to be a drunken lout.Read the Rhodesian story (3/4 of the book) but give the South African bit a miss!

A great read, the author paints a vivid picture of colonial Africa during his childhood, thence unto Canada where his derring do starts to emerge. A return to Africa and a chance encounter ends up with him signing up with the Rhodesian military and that’s where the fun really starts. The tales of bravery, recklessness and outright lunacy are retold with a sparkling narrative and a definitive raise of the old G&T glass, wonderful stuff.

I very much enjoyed it and he paints a vivid picture of life in that part of the world at that particular time. His writing style is very engaging and gently witty. My only criticism is in his description of the school incident where he inadvertently fires live tracer rounds from his bren gun is that he says that the Bren gun is belt which as any "fule kno" is magazine fed. Small slip ups like that always make one think what else is incorrect, which is a shame. Apart from that it is a great read.

A very entertaining read about tims very interesting life moving between vivid action in the African Bush to drunken escapades. All told in a very engaging funny style. With many funny anecdotes.