South Africa Books

...information on the civil wars that took place in both countries. Explain theory of transition to democracy from below using the "most different" method (using two unlike countries that had a similar transition).

Written by J. Lee Thompson (Associate Professor of History, Lamar University), Forgotten Patriot: A Life of Alfred, Viscount Milner of St. James's and Cape Town, 1854-1925 is the biography of a man who was singularly dedicated to duty, principle, and the British Empire. From middle-class origins, Alfred Milner earned the rank of South African High Commissioner, and after spending a decade amid the wilderness, became the right-hand man of David Lloyd George in the five-man War Cabinet of 1916-1918. Milner believed absolutely that any measures he took to further the imperial cause were fully justified, a self-righteousness that blinded him to the practical and political realities of the major events surrounding him. A scholarly and heavily researched account that paints an unforgettable portrait of an incomparably principled and unyielding man.

This is a classic. Turner provides a revolutionary perspective for the US and South Africa grounded in the thought of Fanon.

This is a very great book on all the troubles Gandhi experienced in South Africa. One incident is when Gandhi is thrown out of a train for sitting in the whites only section. Gandhi acts upon these problems and makes a definite difference to apartheid in South Africa. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it showed me the horrible prejudices that occur in South Africa. It also gave me a clearer sense of what South Africa is really about.

I grew up in the USA thinking of gandhi as some mystical hero figure. Of course, the movie didn't help. After I read this book I have a different attitude. He was a lawyer turned politician from the upper middle class, as are many leaders. He dealt with all the same things that leaders of people deal with and he did all the same things the rest of them do, including compromise. This includes not pressing the issue of the racism (towards native africans) or classism of many of the Indian merchant-class who had hired him to help them in their struggle against the white government of South Africa. It paints him a bit insensitive towards the suffering that many of the lower class went through as part of his campaigns as well. So, I always like it when a book shows me unusual views of famous hyped up events and people, even if it is only to shatter my own naivite and ignorance.

I give this book an enthusiastic "thumb's up" for anyone researching the complicated origins of WW2 and seeking in-depth knowledge of the reasons behind critical decisions made by the leaders involved.
The book is not for the casual reader and does require some historical background to appreciate fully all the details provided. An excellent addition for anyone specifically studying Italy, the surrounding neighbors, and the role Germany played with each ( dating as far back as 1918 for some ). I have learned alot and look forward to reading the remainder of the series.

this is one of those rare business books written with style and thought. a must for any serious reader.

this is the second best argument I've read on globalization. the best one is Giddens's theorizing. the edge point of Giddens's theory on globalization, for example The Consequences of Modernity, is overarching reach of conception. but he ignored the economic dimension of globalization. upto recent work, Runaway World, he has focused on social and political dimension of globalization. yep. it's the legimate territory of sociology. when his theory is coupled with global village(McLuhan) or global consciousness (Roland Robertson) I think it can be powerful tool to capture the global integration of lifestyle or culture. but isn't the economic impetus the dominant feature of globalization?
on this point, I've relied on world system theory to get the overall picture. but the author pinpoints that theory blurs off the uniqueness of recent phenomenon. the distinction the author makes, of globalization and internationalization, transnationalization is insightful and provocative to me. for it can serve to depict somewhat new phenomenon. he points out the new chracteristics of global economic system like this.
A Global Market Discpline & Principle: Unlike previous international econmic situation, it must be argued that there was global market-place where Licardian international division of labor and international product-service exchange dominated the time. but now since mid 70s, there has been a global market discipline i.e., system. the its concrete content is somewhat standard: Intra-firm trade or integrated international production system, Inter-product trade, intra-product trade. but he systemizes those facts under new conception. for exaple, he use the term ?iscpline to indicate the internalization of cut-throat competition in global market into market participant? code of conduct. this could be the intersection between economic, political and social theory.

This road atlas is exceedingly good. I travelled some 8,000 Km in South Africa using a previous edition, and purchased this new one for a second long trip with my family. Distances and road ratings are accurate, as well as place names including smaller road stops.

albert nolan is a brilliant writer and thinker. his book, Jesus before Christianity is incredibly compelling. He delves deep into the truth of Jesus and his teachings. the extrapolation of the gospel to the horrors of apartheid is intensely insightful and heart-felt. the joy and hope in Albert's messages is highly infectious. i am reading his current book and will write a review of it soon. if you want to be blown away by gospel truth don't be afraid to hit these books with goal-line stance attitude. ye shall be changed....