South Africa Books

we just came back from our south africa tour using the footprint handbook to zig zag more than 10 000 kilometres through the country. this book is a five star travel companion: very much up to date in sections like accommodation addresses, price categories, timetables - and the footprint kept us entertained as well. With little personality stories and well researched history background. the best thing for us: footprint calls it a handbook and not a guide book and that is what you need if you are self sufficient travellers like us in our vw kombi. look up the little sleepy karoo towns you are passing through on your way to major tourist destinations and even there you will find interesting details about the country. also well researched are the route descriptions if you are tending to go off the beaten track and for instance go off exploring some of the winding roads, that thomas baines designed more than 100 years ago along the garden route. if you use this book as a reference book while having your own ideas what to see and where to go, you won't get lost. instead you will get an idea what living in the rainbow nation is all about. one regret: a pity that the cool story about johnnie, the cave man, who explored big parts of the oudshoorn cango caves, got shortened in the new edition.

It is rare to find such a well written, comprehensive and detailed guide. The maps are excellent and cover more than just the essential. Information is as up to date as you can get it - this guide gets reprinted yearly. I also understand that from the time editing is finished it appears on the shelves within 3 months. The print is smallish and the paper is thin. However, the information is absolutely incredible - about 8 times more comprehensive than its nearest rival! From hiking trails to detail on less frequented places. This is deservedly the no. 1 selling book for South Africa - probably as timetables of trains, busses and Baz Bus is published and it makes trip planning really easy. It is also not written only for budget travellers - it is a book for everyone. Highly recommended.

This is by far the best guide to South Africa. The information is very comprehensive, accurate and informative. The format is a sturdy hardback that's small enough to be easy to pop into your bag but won't get battered easily.

I have relatives in South Africa so I have bought several "South African" children's books for my son over the years (he is now almost five), but this is definitely our favorite. The folk-art-style illustrations are beautiful -- every page is a gem. They are realistic, too, in the way that they depict the characters, their house, and possessions -- accurately capturing the simple poverty.
The wording of the story is poetic and engaging.
My son really likes this story and will read it with me night after night.
It is just a very appealing book overall and a nice way of introducing little ones to Africa. (Too bad it is no longer widely available.)

In South Africa, Thulani is tired of milking his cow every dayso he exchanges it at the store for a goat. That doesn't work - toomuch trouble so he makes some more exchanges ending up with a pocketful of seeds. As his wife Dora tends the fields of growing sunflowers, Thulani goes back to dozing beneath the hot sun. When the sunflowers drop their seeds & he feeds them to his chickens - ah! amazing things begin to happen & Dora is happy! Lively story & lovely pictures with some good ideas about work & play, labor & results. A treasure! Great gift material...

I read the Swedish translation of the book in the fall of 1997. This was one of the best childrens books I have read for my 7 year old daughter Kimia. We both liked it. I must admit though that I liked the book more than she did. I had no choice but to start translating it to Persian. I just visited www.amazon.com to purchase the English version of the book.

The message in the book in my opinion is that Thulani is not really lazy. It just appears so. The story shows how an apparently lazy person who aimlessly sits in the sun is a wonderful loving individual full of life, energy and ideas. I'd like to see the story as applicable to most of us humans. We are all full of life, energy and ideas. We just have to try. Hopefully, our love, for someone like Dora, will lead us to the right place and time.

The Shell-Core Embedded Conflict Theory as developed by Dr. Khalfani talks of looking at the surface or shell of a problem while ignoring the core of the problem. He has applied this theory to the problems of race and affirmative action in the United States and in South Africa. The problems cannot be resolved until all parties are at least talking the same language. On the one hand there is the ability to go to an integrated school, on the other is a full integration of liberty, equality and justice.

I find that I have two comments on the book and its thesis.

One is that the book reflects South Africa as it is today. The transition to a black controlled government has been remarkably smooth. Yet there are signs that serious trouble may lie ahead. There exists the possibility that a black leader similiar to those in other countries in Africa might gain control of South Africa. This could lead to the expulsion of the whites and the deterioration of the society as it exists today. There is certainly a trend in the black politicians to appeal to the radical element in the black community. This would make a mockery of any attempt at affirmative action.

Dr. Khalfani is a specialist in racial problems. In this book he has applied his theory to racial problems. It would be most interesting to see his theories applied to other problems such as illegal drugs. In the case of drugs we treat the symptoms by trying to prevent supply and ignore the core problem that there is a demand that is being supplied.

The author does an excellent job of reframing the affirmative action debate into one about liberty, equality and justice. He talks about solving social problems with a wholistic approach as opposed to the limited discussions that result when you talk about affirmative action. I appreciated the comparison to how this issue is being approached in South Africa.

The book description gives an excellent summary of the book contents and needs not be repeated here. The author does a terrific job of laying down his theory (the need to dig deep below the surface of things as opposed to the too-common lip service approach) and defining what the goals of affirmative action should be. The comparison of how this is being addressed on separate continents is a great illustration of the theory. The theory should be of use elsewhere where similar situations have received little to no attention. The study is very analytical and well balanced, comparing different approaches and theories, stating pros & cons / strength and weaknesses of each. The whole research is backed up by tons of facts and references.

This book is truly inspiring. I was raised in Taiwan and was a student at the Taipei American School, which Christine Alexander also attended. I remember the lengths the school and the government went to to ensure our safety, and I remember watching news about Chen Chin-hsing on television. Reading this book, however, brought the situation in a different light. Chen put through the family through numerous horrifying incidents, yet they forgave him, which they attributed to their strong Christian faith. This book is a wonderful example of forgiveness and courage.

The year was 1997, when the most wanted-criminal of Taiwan, Chen Chin-hsing took hostages of Mac Alexander, a South African diplomat (also the author of the book, and his family of three). The gunman wounded Mac and one of his daughters during a shootout with the police, and the other family members who fortunately remained unharmed physically suffered from the mental torture during the hours that felt like millennia.

Chen, the vicious criminal, however, was completely taken back by the unusually calm attitude of the Christian family members. Especially the diplomat's wife, Anne, whose easy tone on a phone call made during the hostage taking failed to convince her listeners that there was a bandit holding a gun sitting next to her. Their twelve-year old daughter, Christine, on the other hand, became an overnight heroine after it was made known to the whole country that she had refused to escape when she had the chance, because she wanted to protect her mother. The family accounted their bravery to their strong Christian faith. Chen was deeply touched by this unforgettable drama. He was never the same person again after the police escorted him out of the Alexanders' household. Alexander's book reads like a fast-paced documentary replete with action and surprises, like those produced by any seasoned writers. But it also gives you a good overview of the island country of Taiwan, its social customer and the nature of its political components. I couldn't believe how much Alexander knows about the country in which he resided only for a few years.

This book is definitely one of the best I have ever read. Although it emphasizes heavily on the Christian faith, it is absolutely suitable for any believers as well as non-believers. This book might convert you, though. So read it now and find out!

This book is riveting! Once you pick it up, you will not want to put it down. It has a powerful testimony and Mac Alexander is a master storyteller! He gives good background leading up to the time he and his family are held hostage and makes you feel as though you are right there with his family during the ordeal. He also gives a good account of events following this time of crisis. We now live in Taipei and have been able to talk to people who lived here during that time who say that the author really captures the feeling of the people of Taiwan while Chen Chin-hsing was at large. It is a story of great courage and love in the face of a terrifying situation. An excellent book!

This analytical survey of the political climate vis a vis the Jewish community in the 1980's was remarkably prescient in scope and still serves as the textbook for political surveys.

No other book has painted a more vivid and insightful portrait of Jewish life in modern South Africa. Its perspective is unique, offering us an insider's view of the inner-most thoughts and feelings of South Africa's political elite.

The book provides a profound insight in the political climate of South Africa as it relates to the Jews in that country. Unique personal vignettes of the political movers and shakers of South Africa can be found in the books pages.

We were very fortunate to visit Londolozi on several occassions whilst living in South Africa. Lex Hes was a ranger there in the 80's and we had some fantastic game spotting. Lex is extremley professional and very passionate about his work. He is one of the Worlds best wild life photographers. I bought my Father Leopards of Londolozi as he also visited on several occassions from the UK. I will have to hope my Father leaves me this book in his Will now that it is out of publication. Lex's passion rubbed off on us and we have spent many many hours watching game and have the most fantastic memories.You can smell the bush when you look at this book it gives me the goose bumps.
Sharon Oliver, Brisbane, Australia.

We visited Londolozi a number of times in the early 1980-1985 era. Lex Hes was then a ranger at Londolozi. He and his wife were wonderful friends to nature and to Londolozi guests. Lex now has a ranger training school/business in South Africa. I bought the book a while back because we know Lex. Now I'll keep it under wraps knowing it's a collector's item.

Londolozi is now much more expensive than it was in the 80s but we'd go back in an instant if time and money allowed. Hawai'i is far away...the antipode of Botswana.

I visited Londolozi in May 2001 for 4 days. Incredible experience. I saw this book there. Someone had brought it with him to Londolozi, but was unable to purchase a copy in South Africa. I want this book very much and have Amazon.com looking for one for me. It is a wonderful book. Would it benefit someone who had not been to Londolozi? Yes, very much!

Once you see the leopards of Londolozi you're life is changed forever. It's in the catagory of seeing the Northern Lights. You are never the same again.

Do purchase this book-----but only after I get a copy of my own.

As a white immigrant growing up in South Africa during the apartheid regime, I was subjected to some discrimination as well; because our views were not what the government would have liked. Mr. Kathrada's book again brings back the frustration one felt of the dishonesty and cruelty of the white protestant government, hiding behind racial superiority and religion, and keeping everyone misinformed. This is a must read book for everyone, to remind us of what should not be happening in this world again. I am very proud of what the new S.A. government has achieved.

From Ahmed Kathrada's lifelong involvement in the thick of South Africa political activism and his 26 years in prison in the notorious Robben Island and Pollsmoor prisons for political prisoners, he became the fellow activist with and confidant of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and other historic figures in the struggle against that country's apartheid. And with them, Kathrada played a leading, though for the most part less visible, role in developing a post-apartheid South African political and social system. Though apartheid was abandoned years ago, the full story of the struggle against it is just now beginning to emerge, as the leaders of this struggle are finding the time to write their memoirs in their later years after moving out of the political arena and giving way to the succeeding generation of leaders. Kathrada sees his own "Memoirs" as a "modest addition to the growing and most welcome body of work that is emerging about a particularly significant period in South Africa's recent history." Kathrada's modesty kept him from moving into the political, governing, arena as visibly as others, notably Nelson Mandela. But it's clear from this modestly-written "Memoirs" that Kathrada was a major figure in bringing apartheid to an end and setting South Africa on a new course.

Memoirs allows us to enter into the life of Ahmed "Kathy" Kathrada, a very humble yet very real hero, whose steadfast adherence to the highest ideals helped alter the future of a nation.

Ahmed Kathrada played a pivotal role in ending apartheid, helping his country choose a path of reconciliation instead of revenge, and building a new democracy.

This book offers snapshots of his unusual life: An Indian, Muslim South African, Kathy became politically involved at the age of 10 and his activism continued despite repeated arrests, detentions, and bannings as well as increasingly severe measures by the Apartheid government. In 1964, he was convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment, along with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and the other Rivonia Trialists.

Fellow prisoners for 26 years, these leaders were also the closest colleagues and friends, sharing the unshakable belief that truth, justice and democracy would ultimately triumph over oppression and racism.

Released from prison in 1989, at the age of 60, Ahmed Kathrada was at the center of dramatic changes in South Africa and went on to serve as a member of South Africa's first freely elected Parliament, Parliamentary Counsellor to the Office of President Mandela, and Chair of the Robben Island Museum.

He is proof that human beings are capable of exceptional goodness even in the most difficult circumstances, and that political power can be wielded with integrity, empathy, and compassion. He also possesses a wonderful sense of humor as well as unique insight into his close friends and colleagues, including Nelson Mandela.

Ahmed Kathrada's Memoirs offer an essential and all-too-rare view into the mind and soul of a truly great and profoundly gentle revolutionary.

There are three great characters that Haggard created - that is three great stars: Ayesha( She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed), Allan Quartermain, and Umslopogaas of the Axe. This is the tale of Umslopogaas as a youth, a tale of his great love, his wandering as an outlaw under sentence of death, and of his alliance with Galazi the Wolf Brother, weilder of the great club Watcher of the Fords. Fabulous battle scenes, strong characters - what more does the reader want? And then the reader can advance to the only other two books to feature Umslopogaas: She and Allan and Allan Quartermain.

Sadly, Rider Haggard is no longer required reading in the school system. Nevertheless, this rip-roaring action story about the early life of Umslopogas, a character more usually found in a supporting role in the novel Alan Quartermain, is probably Haggard's most poetic and free-flowing yarn. A multiplicity of interesting characters is to be found in this tale, although the central theme is the moving love story of Umslopogas and Nada (a native girl of great beauty). If you have been moved by West Side Story or Romeo and Juliet, and also enjoy a rollicking action-packed adventure saga, this book is a must for you!

Almost everyone is familiar with King Solomon's Mines, She and Alan Quatermain etc but I have encountered relatively few readers of Nada the Lily. This is extraordinary since it is one of Haggard's greatest stories. Given the scenario of an adventure/love story spread out accross the South African landscape during the ruthless and absolute rule of the Zulu king Chaka, this is, as they say, a story that has everything. In this regard I have often wondered that whilst Haggard is one the most filmed if not over filmed authors, Nada the Lily has never made it to the cinema even though it reads as if it was written for the big sreen and the bigger the screen the better.

Tim McKee and Anne Blackshaw have collaborated on an important book that speaks to anyone who is interested on where South Africa is headed and where it has been. In words and photographs, the two capture the mixture of hope, confusion and uncertainty that these young South Africans face in their changing nation. Their words are frank. Their photos compelling.

No More Strangers Now is a good book.It tells about how people would fight for their lives.How they would sometimes hide in their houses because some people would break in and shoot them.It had a lot of violence in it but it would teach you how white people would treat people of color. The book was very good.I think the last chapter was the best. It told about teenagers that were Chinnesse,Afican,Japansse,White,and Mexican.They were all friends they slept over. They even go to the mall. People would just stare at them,thinking they were wierd.I would like everybody to read this book - No More Strangers Now.

As an avid reader and a teacher, I love this book! I have been savouring it for breakfast, a chapter a day, careful not to read too much and exceed my emotional limits, often moved to tears, and always impressed by the strength and passion of the young South Africans. Not only is it a joy to read, it is one of the most educationally exciting books I have ever discovered. What a great tool for opening the minds of young people around the world and helping them to seize on both their own place in history and their ability to shape the future. The voice and image of young South Africa is so poignantly conveyed, I feel as if I have just returned from an intensely revealing reality tour, making several great friends in the process. In No More Strangers Now, Blackshaw and McKee have delivered an honest, eloquent and visually stunning breakthrough!

I am from South Africa, and really enjoy teaching my children about where I grew up. This book has lovely illustrations, and a great story about a boy and his grandmother. It reminded me of the stores, taxis, and people that make South Africa such a colorful place. This book would make a perfect addition to any family's multicultural library!

After living in South Africa for four years in the early 1990s, I came to appreciate the "small" stories of peoples' struggles as well as the larger fight for racial justice. "Not so fast, Songololo" represents both the larger and smaller story: Songologo doesn't have a pair of new sneakers - which many children take for granted - because it costs a lot of money for his family to pay for them. So when his grandmother treats him to a pair, it's a big event in his life. The pictures are lovely - capturing the rhythms of life for some South African children. I regret that there are not more books about them - and not enough by South African authors (Niki Daly is one of the few, and his other children's books set in South Africa, including Papa Lucky's Shadow and Jamela's Dress, are also lovely; Rachel Isadora is an American writer who has written some wonderful children's books set in South Africa). It's a sweet book that my daughter, who is 5, and I have loved reading together. We especially enjoyed taking it to South Africa when we went there together earlier this year, and then gave it to the mother of a four-year-old we met.

This book is full of creative, yet brief descriptions. For instance, a city crosswalk is referred to as a "zebra crossing." Also, with few words and simple language, the author is able to create vivid pictures inside the reader's head. These images are supplemented by awesome illustrations, which, besides accurately depicting the plot described in the text, also suggest stories of their own. As a kid, I liked this book because I empathized with Songololo in his quiet longing for new shoes. Now, as a teenager, I read it because the writing is meaty and touching, and the illustrations are fun to look at. You must buy this book!