Oscar: An Accident Waiting to Happen - Melinda Ferguson & Patricia Taylor

In September 2011, 24-year-old Oscar Pistorius was introduced to Samantha Taylor's family. The next 2.5 years would become a series of rollercoaster rides of emotional highs as young love blossomed, contrasted with dangerous lows, as Pistoriuss international celebrity, emotional fragility, broken promises and acts of recklessness consumed the family.

The London Olympic Games in 2012 was the lowest point. While the world watched Pistorius making history as the first disabled athlete to compete against the likes of Usain Bolt, behind the scenes the weeping Paralympian was on the phone to the Taylor family 24/7.

Promises by Pistorius to get psychological help never materialised. After one too many signs that his dangerous behaviour was endangering her daughters life, by late October 2012, mother Patricia Taylor laid down the law, telling Pistorius to stay away from her family forever. In her last conversation she warned: Oscar, you have got to step out of your life... Something is going to go wrong. And its going to happen soon... Your life is like this terrible accident waiting to happen.

Less than a year later Pistorius would shoot his new girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp four times with his 9mm Parabellum pistol.

Brilliantly researched with never before published behind-the-scenes detail, set against the killing that shocked the world, if you only read one book this year, read this one.

9781920601324

Pages: 176

Trade paperback

MFBooks, 2014

Edition: 01

NEW

B13.2

(MF)