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Grabbing Life with Both Hands Part One 1944 - 1991 Autobiography
Grabbing Life with Both HandsPart One: 1944-1991Born into the chaos of wartime Berlin. Rebuilt by survival. Driven by curiosity, courage and an unwavering determination to make something of life. Grabbing Life with Both Hands is the remarkable first part of Peter HenKal's autobiography, following his journey from his birth in war-torn Berlin in 1944 through childhood, migration, careers, business success and personal discovery up to 1991.
Growing up in the ruins of post-war Germany, Peter experiences a childhood filled with adventure, mischief, hardship and unforgettable encounters. From surviving air raids and discovering the extraordinary story of his missing father, to escaping kindergarten, getting into trouble with friends and finding ingenious ways to earn pocket money, his early years reveal a personality that would shape the rest of his life.
In 1964, Peter leaves Germany and begins a completely new chapter in Southern Africa. With little knowledge of the country or its complicated political history, he learns to adapt and repeatedly reinvent himself. His working life takes him through industry, engineering, management and business, while his determination and willingness to take risks open unexpected doors. In 1981, another chance encounter changes his direction once again.
A casual meeting in a Durban bar leads him into the concrete industry and ultimately to Loeffelstein Retaining Walls, a venture that grows from a simple opportunity into an innovative business with factories, franchises and international connections. But behind the achievements lies another story: the cost of ambition. Peter reflects honestly on relationships, divorce, loneliness, relentless work and the realisation that success can come at a personal price.
Eventually, he begins to reassess his priorities and discovers that life is not simply about building a successful career-it is about building a life worth living. Funny, adventurous, sometimes difficult and always candid, Grabbing Life with Both Hands is the story of a man who repeatedly stepped into the unknown, took chances and refused to let circumstances define him. From the ruins of post-war Berlin to the boardrooms and construction sites of South Africa, this is a life lived without rehearsals.
Part One covers the years 1944-1991.
Growing up in the ruins of post-war Germany, Peter experiences a childhood filled with adventure, mischief, hardship and unforgettable encounters. From surviving air raids and discovering the extraordinary story of his missing father, to escaping kindergarten, getting into trouble with friends and finding ingenious ways to earn pocket money, his early years reveal a personality that would shape the rest of his life.
In 1964, Peter leaves Germany and begins a completely new chapter in Southern Africa. With little knowledge of the country or its complicated political history, he learns to adapt and repeatedly reinvent himself. His working life takes him through industry, engineering, management and business, while his determination and willingness to take risks open unexpected doors. In 1981, another chance encounter changes his direction once again.
A casual meeting in a Durban bar leads him into the concrete industry and ultimately to Loeffelstein Retaining Walls, a venture that grows from a simple opportunity into an innovative business with factories, franchises and international connections. But behind the achievements lies another story: the cost of ambition. Peter reflects honestly on relationships, divorce, loneliness, relentless work and the realisation that success can come at a personal price.
Eventually, he begins to reassess his priorities and discovers that life is not simply about building a successful career-it is about building a life worth living. Funny, adventurous, sometimes difficult and always candid, Grabbing Life with Both Hands is the story of a man who repeatedly stepped into the unknown, took chances and refused to let circumstances define him. From the ruins of post-war Berlin to the boardrooms and construction sites of South Africa, this is a life lived without rehearsals.
Part One covers the years 1944-1991.
Les livres de Peter Henkal
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