Product Description

As it moves uncertainly towards the implementation of a more democratic society, South Africa - as so often in the past - is the focus of worldwide attention. Despite the optimism which followed the dismantling of the apartheid system and the election as president of Nelson Mandela, the country's history, racial mix and rapid recent political changes may yet foreshadow a turbulent future. South Africa is by far the most powerful country on the African continent - whatever happens there will have an impact far beyond its borders. Yet prejudice and ignorance on the subject of South Africa are widespread. Some incidents, especially those of the 19th century, are well-known: the Great Trek, the Jameson Raid, the Boer War. But how many people in the outside world are clear about the differences between Bantus, Zulus and Bushmen? Is it widely known that while the forebearers of F.W. de Clerk lived in what is now South Africa 300 years ago, those of Nelson Mandela did not? And what lies behind the development of the Boers' forceful character and powerful sense of destiny?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #203147 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 656 pages

Review
'A masterly synthesis of past and present scholarship historical storytelling in the grand narrative tradition' Mail & Guardian 'Sweeping, exhaustive and masterly' Scotland on Sunday 'Excellent... a balanced account of a very complex story' Stephen Fleming, Irish Independent 'Vital to an understanding of modern South Africa' Publishers Weekly 'His assessments are judicious, his opinions fair. Welsh maintains a clear narrative thread through this hugely complex story' Stephen Taylor, New York Times Book Review

Frank Welsh's large and magisterial history of South Africa brings out the underlying pattern of the country's development: a complex and uneasy co-existence of races and cultures stretching back over 500 years to which European immigration in the 17th century merely added a new and explosive element; and a country in which change has always been rapid, often violent and frequently stressful. This makes it likely, the author suggests, that the future of South Africa in the post-apartheid era will be no less violent than in its tumultuous past. (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
Frank Welsh read History at Cambridge, then worked in banking and industry, including service on the boards of nationalised industries and on the Royal Commission into the NHS. His books include The Profit of the State, Uneasy City and The Companion Guide to the Lake District.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating history of �such a tumultuous land�
I picked up this book fascinated to know more of the country for which all I really knew of was apartheid and the Boer War. The history of South Africa is indeed a huge subject and well worth the 500 page read of this book. Welsh describes the initial settlements in South Africa, both British and Dutch and how control of the various colonies changed hands frequently before the Boer War. He then describes (not in a huge amount of detail I was pleased to note) the Boer War itself and the politics that took place after it. This then leads into the apartheid system and finally to the racially free elections which Nelson Mandela won.

What I found fascinating about this book was the racist views which were ingrained into the settlers of 19th century South Africa. I had never appreciated how far back the beliefs of separating black people from white people went. I had also never appreciated how many wars took place in South Africa during that time.

As a book to read cover to cover, this isn't that easy a book to follow with enough people to warrant a reference at the back. However, other than this Welsh does a fine job of keeping the reader intrigued. His writing is somewhat colloquial at times (giving his opinion on people which really shouldn't find its place in a history book) but his in depth research on the subject shines through. Definitely recommended.

A good effort
Biased, unobjective, sneering, superior, too politically correct. Filled with an author's bitchy comments (which should not be present in a history book - eg "fat and pathetic...")But crafted with considerable effort and research. Still the only compact, almost readable book for a first time visitor to the beautiful and maligned land of South Africa.

Mudslinging
Trite mudslinging. Once again some one can make a quick buck by picturing Afrikaners as neanderthals.... and riding the wave of emotive and cliched argumentation. The book falls flat when it becomes obvious that the author is writing a political doctrine rather and historical overview of South Africa