BULAWAYO - Historic Battleground of Rhodesia. By Oliver Ransford

AA Balkema, 1968.

Hard cover with dust cover, 182 pages. Very good condition. Tightly bound and neat inside. Gift inscription. Sellotape marks in front and back. Over 1 kg.

In this history of Bulawayo and its province of Matabeleland, Ransford has contributed an exciting and significant book on a critical period of Rhodesia's history . Mzilikazi, originally a Zulu chief, led the Matabele nation to the highveld around Bulawayo in 1840, and ruled this territory until his death in 1868. Succeeded by Lobengula, Matabeleland and its capital were captured by the European pioneer settlers under Dr Jameson. This become known as the Matabele War, at the battles of the Shangani and Bembesi. The next major development was the Rebellion of the Matabele in 1896, which almost overwhelmed the infant pioneer settlement, after the little-known Matopos Campaign. This ended with the historic confrontation between Cecil Rhodes and the Matabele chiefs. 

The book contains 22 maps (of which 16 are in colour) to clarify the battlegrounds; 49 monochrome illustrations that give historic atmosphere; 32 'old-and-new' photographs document the growth of the City; and four colour plates complete what is quite a visual feast (one is large and folds out of the book) .