South Africa Books

Year of Fire, Year of Ash will stand for many years as a leading study of the brave uprising in 1976-77 by ten., of thousands of South Africa's young people - now known to the world as the Soweto Revolt.
This book - by an author who is both scholar and active socialist revolutionary - is important not just because of its careful documentation or lucid style, but for the depth and perceptiveness of its political
insights. Its central question is: To what extent can the Black Consciousness Movement provide a viable ideological platform for future revolutionary struggle? It is a question that no one concerned for the
future of South Africa can ignore.

Baruch Hirson's book goes far beyond a history of the Revolt itself - inspiring and exciting as his account of the uprising is. Part One outlines the whole history of education for Blacks in South Africa,
stressing the long record of student resistance and analysing carefully the emergence of the Black Consciousness Movement after 1969. Part Two turns to the history of the Revolt itself, including its
antecedents in 1973-75. In the course of so doing, it explodes several of the myths already current concerning the Revolt. It shows how it was the black working class, rather than the students, who set the pace
of renewed resistance in the 1970s. The book also demonstrates how the key Black Consciousness structures - SASO and BPC - had very little organisationally to do with the Revolt, while the African National
Congress's underground cells played quite a significant role after the uprising began. Perhaps the most significant section of the book is Part Three in which the author, from a socialist perspective, analyses
Black Consciousness as an ideology, and sets its ideas in the context of South African history since the Second World War.

LIBRO MOLTO BELLO DA UTILIZZARSI PER REGALI DI PRESTIGIO. LE FOTO SONO UN SOGNO.

Zambia borders on eight states whose political ideologies range from the socialism of Mozambique to the conservatism of Malawi. Because of its great mineral wealth and well-developed mining industry, Zambia is potentially one of the strongest nations in Africa.

In this introduction to Zambia, Dr. Burdette addresses a group of puzzling questions. Why is such a rich country experiencing economic troubles? Why does it seem destined to be locked in long-term combat with international lenders? Is the state, in fact, moving toward economic independence or is it being dominated once again by its more industrialized neighbors and various Western states? Finally, how do ethnic and class factors affect the tone and content of modern Zambian politics, and how will they combine to affect the nation's future?

Kacowicz's book "Zones of Peace in the Third World," is a welcome addition to the international relations literature on the reasons for peace and conflict. While much has been written about democratic peace and the building of community in the west and amongst democracies, the treatment of peaceful communities outside the west and outside of the democratic world have been sorely lacking. Kacowicz addresses this gap well while providing a well thought out theory to explain the phenomena. His coverage of peaceful regions outside the West gets past the Euro-centric focus of much of IR literature and broadens the discussion theoretically by attempting to explain extended peace without democracy. In addition, he provides a clear and concise review of the literature that is helpful for those who wish to explore this topic more fully. Structurally the argument is presented very clearly and can serve as a model for how to present theory and case studies at the graduate and undergraduate level.

This is a meticulously detailed history book that reads like a novel. If only all history books were as enjoyable as this, their popularity would increase beyond recognition. The author has gone out of his way to give a rounded and unbiased view of the Zulu War. I found the book an interesting and exciting read.

This was one of the most controversial and brutal conflict of the nineteenth century. The real story of the Anglo-Zulu war was one of deception, dishonour, incompetence and dereliction of duty by Lord Chelmsford who invaded Zulu land without the knowledge of the British Government. But it did not go to plan and there were many political repercussions.

The author Saul David is an author and broadcaster. He has written several books prior to this one and been involved in several documentary programmes.

My aunt brought an earlier edition of this book to me and my siblings after she had traveled in Africa. We loved it so much that, when my daughter was born in 1987, I tried unsuccessfully to find it. Then, to my delight, it became available! These stories are full of love, danger, and magic. "The Love of Kenelinda" haunts me to this day. It has remained one of my favorite children's books for over 40 years.

Ian Player's Zulu Wilderness could also have been featured in our biography section, for really, it's as much a personal memoir of the author's experiences traveling in the African wilderness and his work as a conservationist as it is a travelogue of the region - but it's featured here for its fine survey of the wilderness of South Africa, the social and conservation issues at hand, and its exciting 'you are there' adventure sensation. Very highly recommended: gripping and hard to put down.

Meine erfolgreiche Dissertation war nur möglich durch dieses Buch. Dafür ein herzliches Dankeschön. Ich habe lange nach seriöser Informatio gesucht und dieses Buch legte mir alle Informationen zu Füssen.

I read Kite Runner, which was so outstanding, I could barely put it down while reading. I enjoyed reading Hosseini's work so much, I immediately went out and bought A Thousand SPlendid Suns. From the first few sentences I was hooked! Both Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, are so fantastic. I do think that I did enjoy this book more than Kite Runner. I stongly recommend both books to everyone out there. Whether your into reading or not, you should pick up Housseini's books and see what a wonderful writer he is! He truly captures your heart with each and every character in the book. It makes it hard for you to choose which character's side you are on!

Keep on writing Khaled Hosseini! I can't wait to read what's next...

I found it to be a heartbreaking book - an eye opening book as well. The fact that the book is set in recent years made it more heartbreaking as well as realistic. It was hard for me to read the parts where Rasheed abused the women. It angered me greatly.



I think the book was quite stark and harsh - yet honest. I'm glad I read it. We, here in the US, know nothing of the sort of things portrayed in the book and it was hard to put myself in that place. It also made me think of my freedom and how there is no one to control me, no one to tell me I must cover myself in a burqua. I find it unimaginable to have to live that way.



I didn't close the book with a "feel-good" air. I closed the book and sighed. I think many would benefit from reading the book - it lets you know that there is very much more to this world than yourself and that you should count your blessings every day. It also lets you know that your life can change in an instant and that the world you think you should have isn't necessarily the world you'll get.

-Gatlianne

Not nearly as compelling as the Kite Runner and borders almost on parody. Villains are even more cartoonish and one-dimensional than in the Kite Runner. Dialogue and descriptions are still clunky. Also, when taken together with the Kite Runner, it is clear that Hosseini is pushing a pro-American, anti-Islamic political agenda.

Why does Hosseini pepper his dialog with foreign language (Persian, Pashto, Arabic, Urdu etc.) and then translate it into English immediately within the same sentence? ("Mariam said bas, stop it.") It's not like these characters are supposed to be speaking English in real life. Very very annoying.

I read this book before I read his first book, The Kite Runner. This actually helped remove any expectation and made the Kite Runner seem more optimistic. I would recommend reading them out of order to anyone who hasn't read any of his books yet. This book presents a hard reality but offers a lot of insight, inspiration and education within its pages. I really enjoyed it and was sad to be done.

I absolutely loved _The Kite Runner_, and therefore was hesitant to read _A Thousand Splendid Suns_, for fears of it falling short of the expectations I have for Hosseini. I was so very wrong. _A Thousand Splendid Suns_ is magnificent. It is bitter-sweet, to be sure; as Hosseini writes towards the end of the novel, "Every Afghan story is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief." Through the characters of Miriam and Laila we vicariously experience an Afghan story. You will be moved.

Admittedly the first third of the book is a challenge - readers first meet Mariam, a young Afghan girl who lives in the contryside. Mariam's life is one of hardship, abuse and toil, with only fleeting moments of joy that are quickly destroyed. Having introduced this character, Hosseini then seemilgly drops Mariam and introduces Laila, a Afghani girl who lives in Kabul - her childhood experiences are worlds away from Mariam's. Be patient - the investment made in developing these characters is returned several times over as the stories of these two different women intertwine and unfold.

As Afghanistan is first invaded by the Soviets, then plunged into civil war before the ascension of the Taliban, these two very different women find they have much in common: death, loss, grief - but also an astonishing capability to endure, survive and find solace and comfort in each other. Hosseini does such a masterful job of developing these characters that, at times, it is difficult to go on reading, given the emotional attatchment you have to them.

Life in Hosseini's Afghanistan is brutal, unjust and chaotic. His characters, however, are beautiful. I regret not reading it sooner. Very highly recommended.

However, this book is WELL worth every minute it may take you read it. I've had the book for several months and finally opened it last week.

After reading "The Power of One", if you don't laugh, cry, tremble, smile, hit something, or hug something, you are inhuman. This is by far one of the most heartwarming and heartwrenchingly beautiful books I have ever read.

By the way, if you are thinking about getting the movie after reading this book, this is what the movie description says:

"The Power of One is an intriguing story of a young English boy named P.K. and his passion for changing the world. Growing up he suffered as the only English boy in an Afrikaans school. Soon orphaned, he was placed in the care of a German national named Professor von Vollensteen (a.k.a. "Doc"), a friend of his grandfather. Doc develops P.K.'s piano talent and P.K. becomes "assistant gardener" in Doc's cactus garden. It is not long after WWII begins that Doc is placed in prison for failure to register with the English government as a foreigner. P.K. makes frequent visits and meets Geel Piet, an inmate, who teaches him to box. Geel Piet spreads the myth of the Rainmaker, the one who brings peace to all of the tribes. P.K. is cast in the light of this myth. After the war P.K. attends an English private school where he continues to box. He meets a young girl, Maria, with whom he falls in love. Her father, Professor Daniel Marais, is a leader of the Nationalist Party of South Africa. The two fight to teach the natives English as P.K.'s popularity grows via the myth. Maria is killed. P.K. looses focus until he sees the success of his language school among the tribes. He and Guideon Duma continue the work in hopes of building a better future for Africa."

WHAT?!? P.K? Orphaned? The Rainmaker? Where is the Judge? Or Grandpa Chook? Where is the Crystal Cave? Where is Morrie? Where are the mines? Where is the dream of "Welterweight Champion of the World", not to mention Hoppie?

I suppose you can't blame Hollywood for making such a botchery of a book like this. There is no possible way it could EVER be felt on screen the way it is with words. However, it is unforgivable that PEEKAY (Not P.K.) was not known as the Tadpole Angel.

I suppose that if you've never read the book, the movie would be standard Hollywood fluff, with all the political, cutsie, hero-that-changes-the-world, love story type stuff that people seem to go for.

Which is also the reason I prefer to read and this is one book I will read again and again and again.

this book is amazien i can't spell to well because im reading the book right now. BUy it DO IT KNOW

I picked up The Power of One in the Johannesburg Airport on the suggestion of a friend. With its odd, self-help book title, I would have never chosen on my own. I finished it on the long flight home and have read it repeatedly since. It's that book I pick up when I want to remember that there is goodness in human nature. Peekay's coming of age is an experience completely different from mine, yet it evoked such strong emotion. It echoes To Kill a Mockingbird in how it shows you, through the eyes of child, just how unfair and ill-founded bigotry is, but it keeps from drowning in righteousness by preserving the love and humor of Peekay's youth as well. I cannot recommend this book enough.

The Power of One came to me at an important time of my life and empowered me in the face of hardship to continue on. I recommend this book to all of my students.

I read "Power of One" for the first time when I was 14 and since then I have wanted to visit South Africa. So when I finally got the chance to go a few weeks ago, I re-read the book for the third time; it seems to only get better each time I pick it up. I love this story so much that I wish Peekay were real (the book makes me believe he is, the characters are so well written).