OShortly after his appointment as lecturer in Stellenbosch, historian PJ van der Merwe turned his attention to the Northwest. In those days the region was mostly unknown to people outside this part of the world. Like today, there was uncertainty then about the boundaries of this region and its sub-regions E Berigte uit die Dorsland, compiled by Van der MerweOs daughter, Margaretha Schfer, contains more than 200 of his magazine and newspaper articles. The articles, based on interviews and observations, offer a wealth of important information that he gathered during two extensive visits to the Northwest and surrounding regions E He realised, long before most historians, that a personal interview with someone, who has had a particular experience, was an important historical source. But, it was essential to test the evidence and verify it with that of other people. The articles in Die Burger, Die Huisgenoot, Die Landbouweekblad and Sarie Marais are accompanied by excellent photographs taken by Van der Merwe.OE

HERMANN GILIOMEE

The Second World War involved most of the countries of the world and left so many millions dead and maimed, disorganised and devastated through personal and communal loss. This book recovers some of South AfricaOs soldiersO experiences from the physical and mental debris of the war. Individuals are important; their lives used as lenses give us colour and texture, and their voices tell the stories of ordinary soldiers. Using their memoirs and diaries, the vitality of their endeavours is reasserted, their successes and failures, victories and indecencies are re-examined, and their magnanimity and the general triumph of the human spirit are celebrated.

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Struggle and Hope is an absorbing memoir by a distinguished citizen of ‘Phalo’s Land’, in which the memoirist Mda Mda, traces the fractious events of Transkeien history over the period from roughly the late eighteen-hundreds to the present – that is, through the momentous epochs of colonialism, apartheid and liberal-democracy.

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The Anglo-Boer War was a Osmall warO, but it left an indelible mark on South Africa and its future and represented a watershed in British Imperialism and the Empire.

It was an interesting war with all the elements that makes military history intriguing: David against Goliath, amateurs against professionals, heroes and villains, bravery and cowardice, glory and suffering, brilliant victories and humiliating defeats.

Introductory Notes:

aEEEEEEEEssential information required when visiting battle fields or researching campaigns.

3 Coloured Diagrams

aEEEEEEEThe Composition of a British Infantry Division; Anglo-Boer War Rifles; and Artillery.

3 Coloured General Maps

aEEEEEEESouthern Africa The seat of the war; The Anglo-Boer War in Global Context.

5 Coloured Battle Maps

aEEEEEEEThe First Republican Offensive; Field Marshal RobertsO Campaign; The Guerrilla Phase.

aEEEEEEEThe Blockhouse System: The Concentration Camps.

25 Coloured Maps

aEEEEEEEThe Famous Sieges; The OBlack WeekO Battles and all the Key Battles and Operations of the War.

8 Fact sheets

aEEEEEEEThe Balance Sheet of Forces; The ButcherOs Bill (Casualties); The Concentration Camps.

aEEEEEEEThe Republican Forces; The Commandos; The Rank and Command StructureO

aEEEEEEENotes on Marksmanship.

aEEEEEEEThe British and Imperial Units involved in the War.

aEEEEEEEThe British and Imperial Cemeteries in South Africa.