Battles of South Africa by Tim Couzens
First Edition 2004
Publisher: David Philip Publishers
Format: Soft cover
Book condition: Good
This book is an interesting selection of battles found to be in some way pertinent, and important in the often misunderstood South African military history. Some of the battles were critical, some curious. Some of them are almost completely unknown, certainly to popular consciousness. Others may ring a bell but their details are largely lost in the amnesia of history. There are any number of books on battles in South Africa, particularly the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer Wars, and on certain individual battles or campaigns. Surprisingly there is no general work describing a wide range of them. This book aims to plug the gap. It tells the stories of 26 battles between 1725 and 1927, written in a lively, personal style. It brings to life these battles, some critical, some curious, and recreates battles whose names are now unknown or, if known, their details forgotten. Who, for instance, knows that there was a significant battle fought in what is now the Kruger National Park in 1725? Who links South Africa with naval battles? Who knows which hill was not only the site of a fierce Anglo-Boer battle but is also associated with the first novel written by an African anywhere in Africa? What military episode, where not a shot was fired, helped precipitate South Africa into the First World War? Battles of South Africa resuscitates aspects of military and social history and encourages you to travel to sites you might otherwise ignore.
This interesting and informative book recounts key battles which helped shape the last 500 years of South African history. Couzens includes conflicts from the establishment of the first European settlement up to political protests in the twentieth century. Extensively researched and beautifully written, this book will appeal to tourists and those interested in popular history.About the authorTim Couzens is an internationally respected literary and social historian. He is also an acclaimed and award-winning travel writer. He is also a past winner of the Sunday Times Alan Paton Award and the CNA Literary Award. He has published three major biographies: The New African, a study of the life and works of the pioneer black dramatist, H.I.E. Dhlomo;Tramp Royal, the true story of the wanderer tramp, Trader Horn; and Murder at Morija, an attempt to solve and explain a 90-year-old arsenic poisoning.
