To research authentic names, look up the top 100 names for the year and place your character would have been born
Seriously, though. In that story, real scientists would have to be forgiven for coming to the conclusion that "initial hotness" is clearly a factor in how the virus does or does not affect you.
The Great War In Africa (1914-1918) by Byron Farwell might be something worth looking into. Granted it covers things later than you're looking at, but it does discuss some of the Askari (particular which African tribes sided with the German and abhorred the Brits) --It also has the benefit of being an awesome history read. The Scramble for Africa: White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876 to 1912 by Thomas Pankeham should be right up your alley as well, (this covers English, German, Portuguese and Belgian interactions/colonialism). King Leopold's Ghost is a fun read (can't remember the author, but you should be able to google the book) That's all I have off the top of my head.
Hey, no idea is a bad idea if you can write it well and convey your story. I hope you do write it and I look forward to reading it.
Wikia, Wrote to a professor in East London, Africa no such luck, he basically told me that the storyline that I had in mind, never happen and could have never happened, at least that was how I understand him through e-mail, the I tried to e-mail the British Museum in London, England they referred me to someone else, but they never did respond. Also I tried getting some information from a university as someone on this forum suggested, but that person never responded either. So that is pretty much it.
Just because it never happened that doesn't mean you can make it up for yourself using genuine tribe names and countries?
Now, hold on there. Let's get something straight. I am never ever took something any somebody and mess with it just to make my idea look better or whatever. I tried to explain to the professor that which I wrote to what I was doing. He told me that the storyline or whatever you wanna call it, could have never happened because he says that the tribes of Kenya wasn't that vicious and had no intention of interfering with the British (in my story). That was just what I understood in his e-mail back to me. I am not here to debate or to cause a problem or start any type of trouble with anybody on this forum or anywhere else. I had ever intention to use real live tribes and do present them with respect. I have no intention of causing trouble with a government. I respect the country of Kenya and the British Empire. And frankly, if you do not wish to help or advise or anything else, then please do not respond to my post.
Same thing I just told Lewdog, I am no on this forum to cause a trouble or start any. This is why I do not like people, they start out being nice, but just as soon as you either ask a question or give out an opion about something, they jump all over you and the next thing you know, your banned from a forum or cussed at in public when you never did nothing wrong to begin with.
You're getting mad over nothing. I'm just saying would it be possible to set a different main character in a new period like 1915 when there was war actually going along. Or maybe just write your own story telling what you have planned, in which case you just have to look up what tribes were involved and the types of uniforms the British were wearing.
You wrote rhetorically. As a suggestion, speak plainly and directly to avoid confusion with this OP poster in this thread.
Damn are you my new correction buddy? First you say that I am making light of child pornography in one thread, which is not the case, then you come here and tell me how to post. If I was the OP of this thread I would not be happy with you talking down to them saying they can't understand concepts.
I was trying to help - he clearly misunderstood your tone, despite the closing ? I offered a suggestion, you can take it or leave it. If I was telling you how to post it would have been more direct: eg: don't use rhetorical devices and confuse OP. Furthermore, if I had have said OP can't understand concepts, I am sure you would be justified in being upset. Seeing as I said nothing of the sort, your displeasure is misguided. He's missing the tone of your post, as clearly evidenced via posts above. To avoid further confusion, I am simply suggesting plain speaking - ie no clever rhetorical questions. In the future I'll leave you to your ongoing "You're getting mad over nothing" conversation which will no doubt resolve in a firm friendship.
Hi Timben, I'm a bit late here, but I'd always START with Wiki...google Kenya and you get, in the history, "The colonial history of Kenya dates from the establishment of a German protectorate over the Sultan of Zanzibar's coastal possessions in 1885, followed by the arrival of the Imperial British East Africa Company in 1888. Incipient imperial rivalry was forestalled when Germany handed its coastal holdings to Britain in 1890." So, first thing is that it wasn't colonized by Britain until 1888 - and even then only as a replacement "landlord" for Germany - so your timetable will need a tweak. The suggestion of moving it to WWI era gives a lot more scope, because the German commander in neighbouring German East Africa actually kept fighting after the armistice was signed. But, as has been pointed out, there's no reason why, if the genuine history isn't there, you can't make up something plausible. The number of errors in the film Zulu, for instance,...the regiment involved WASN'T called the South Wales Borderers until 2 years after the action, it WASN'T composed entirely (even mainly) of Welshmen...and the descendants of Private Hook VC refused to attend the premiere because the allegation that he had a bad disciplinary record was a libel.
I understand what every single one is saying. But again, if I changed the timeline, the book has never been written yet, this is only an idea. Let's make this perfectly clear. I do not wish to sound like another "Indiana Jones" rip-off or anybody of that nature. I understand perfectly that this is only a suggestion and that your trying to help. Thank you for that. I do not have a lot of education and I know out of common sense that it probably will never be turned into a book. As bad as I wish it too. My whole story idea, is complicated and confusing to say the least. I guess I am tired of using the same old type of villains "the Nazis" as they have been done to death in films and in books (at least I would assume so).
@Timben - I just googled History of Kenya 1880s British colonisation, and got this: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=History+of+Kenya+1880s+British+colonisation&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=seKcVdyZAc6V7AbF-oToBg I would suggest you look at some of these sources of information, which should lead you to other sources. Immerse yourself in the period and place, and don't try to do 'instant research.' Be prepared to do a lot of reading. Everything you learn will inform your story, and will give you even more ideas. It will all come down to your desire for authenticity. If you want to write your story, even though it could not really have 'happened,' then go ahead. Fictionalise the location based on the real history you uncover. Or write an alternative history based on what did happen in the real place. Or write a pure fantasy. However, the more history you know, the richer your story will be. So dig in and follow up every lead that attracts your attention. It will pay off. But there isn't any 'easy' way to do it, really.
Hi Timben, I'm just saying that if you insist on setting the book in 1880, that will be 8 years before a British Imperial presence, and your history will be immediately and basically flawed. Also, setting it in WWI (1914-1918) isn't making "the Nazis" the villains. German history includes so much more than the dozen or so years represented by Hitler's era. But, as @jannert says, read, read and read some more. I'm still finding stuff out about my WIP from further research. Mostly it's filling in details as I go without changing the overall story arc, but if I have to go back and do a basic rewrite because I discover that one of my major characters actually died 10 years earlier than I thought, then so be it.
