South Africa Books

Frank Walsh has made South African history compelling, from the early colonial period to the present day. Dense, but readable, the narrative style contributes greatly to the flow of events. Particularly enlightening is Walsh's method of including "mini-psycho-biography" as an aspect of character analysis. The Boer colonials are more alive than in any history I have previously read. Their foibles and human weaknesses are shown with sometimes tragic-comic insight. My understanding of the tribal situation has grown greatly from reading this book, so the present day Zulu-Bantu power struggles gain new meaning. Kruger, Malan, DeKlerk, Mandela, Biko, Buthalezi...are all here, along with the ghostly spectre of the all but extinct KhoiKhoi (Hottentots). Walsh has made Africa's pariah a thing of flesh and bone, in which we can see all of our humanity too well. Read this history if you wish to understand today's South Africa.

I wish the picture accompanying the synopsis of this guide book were clearer. The strong geometrics in the photo on the cover give one a strong flavor of what to expect in this picturesque country. Get this book and read it thoroughly and you'll suprise yourself with a strong desire to visit south Africa.

As a former student of Dr Worger I can vouch for his deep knowledge of the subject. Here Worger and Clark give the undergradaute or anyone else with an interest in the subject a thoughtful and well researched analysis of a brutally repressive regime that simply did not just come out of nowhere (Africans have been oppressed in what is today South Africa since the 17th century)and will not simply be deposited on the dust heap for history. The legacy of apatheid will be long and painful for the generations that endured it and the new generations that will grow up in its shadow. Woger proves here beyong any doubt that the National Party regime was without a doubt one of the most vicious and murderous regimes of the second half of the 20th century. Even the Soviet bloc post-1956 fell far short in terms of brutality. Noam Chomsky estimates that some 1.5 million deaths can be laid at Pretoria's for the period of 1978-1989 alone (PW Both's tenure in office). I dont doubt it, Worger cornicles how Pretoria raided, bombed, and destablized all the nations of Southern Africa in a desperate attempt to stay in power. It tortrued and murdered its own Africans when they dared to protest. the work also has a very good section on books for further reading and those interested in the topic, such as myself, can delve deeper if they so choose to.

For anyone interested in South Africa, this book is a must! It wonderfully describes South Africa's cultural history, and the recipes are delicious! (I recommend Melkterts and Koeksisters)

I read this book many years ago, and continue to be impressed by its grasp of the subject matter.
I also remember that, as the Cape Times pointed out, it has a very workmanlike index (which was written by the present reviewer).

Highly recommended.

I just bought this book for my grandchild and was so happy that he enjoyed it as much as myself. I am from South Africa, and was glad to find a book that showed the joy and sweetness of that country. People around the world forget that there are little children that go to sleep everynight all over S.A. and just live simple lives. The pictures were realistic and lovely and made me homesick! I think this gives my grandchild a wonderful view of an incredible country and they have brought back memories for me. Thank You

Everyone in South Africa points visitors to this book when they inquire about wine. While it has informative discussions about SA wine and the wine industry generally, its true strength lies in its "guidebook"-style descriptions of the wines produced by each vineyard, with which vintages and specialties to pursue. While most of the wines profiled are not exported, the guide is an excellent source for anyone intending to bring wine home from South Africa, and is essential for anyone ordering wine directly.

T.V. Bulpin is reknown in Africa for his exceptional work. I will be indebted to him for opening my eyes to Southern Africa as I lived there for three months. I appreciated the people and the land with eyes of better understanding because of Mr. Bulpin knownledge and ability to express this in his books.

So very often I have wished for more than that which is suplied by a travel guide.

'Southern Africa Profiled' is full of essential information like where bus stations are located and interesting places to visit. But it is also packed with information which travel guides often neglect to include and gives one a true understanding of the area.

The book is not a substitute for a good travel guide. I would, however, recommend that a serious traveller to Southern Africa would benefit from buying this book. It certainly enhanced my experience of South Africa and Swaziland.

This book is a fascinating historical survey of Soweto, a sprawling black township on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Soweto started life in the 1930s as a dreary dumping ground for Africans displaced by slum demolitions. It grew into the largest black city in South Africa, as blacks streamed to Joburg to work in the white economy but were required to live in separate black areas. Soweto became the epicenter of black political and cultural life, and burst onto the world stage in 1976, when students rioted against school conditions. Their activism revived South Africa's dormant liberation movement and was a turning point in the struggle against apartheid.

The book adroitly mixes archival research with oral history, and navigates smoothly between grand political history and micro-level social analysis. It is lavishly illustrated with photos and documents, and virtually every page has quotes from Soweto residents gathered during the authors' research. The most harrowing pages chronicle the violence that engulfed Soweto in the 1980s and early 1990s, when political parties, criminal gangs, and ethnic groups waged open warfare on each other, often encouraged by police agents. While the authors are committed anti-apartheid liberals, they don't gloss over the excesses committed in the name of liberation.

In short, the book is smart, readable, and humane. A terrific achievement. Six stars.