Thirty dedrees south publishers, Africa@War series, illustrated, 64 pages, 21.2 cms x 29.8 cms, condition: as new.
"Its members consisted of some of the finest guerrilla-fighting men in the western world, unconventional in many ways, disregardful of parade-ground discipline, unorthodox in their dress, yet a force so tightly knit in the face of danger that those who knew anything about them could only marvel"
As someone who has been privileged enough to own Assignment Selous Scouts, Pamwe Chete, Bush War in Rhodesia, Three Sips of Gin, et al. I think that this book fills a critical need to an objective, overarching look at the Scouts.
The book begins with a brief overview of the war, which while succinct, definitely invites the reader to read a work like J.K. Cilliers' Counterinsurgency in Rhodesia if they are not already familiar with the conflict. From there it moves on to the formation, internal, external, reconnaissance, and intelligence operations of the unit during its short history.
The book is written with talent and honesty. It provides an engaging and intriguing introduction into special operations forces at work in Rhodesia and does not overwhelm them with the intricacies and jargon of the conflict or the unit.In this sense the Africa @ War series meets and exceeds Osprey books both in pictures and information. This is particularly of note to those with an interest in African conflicts, which have been denied the slavish attention given to other conflicts. Furthermore, if you cannot pay the exorbinant amounts commanded for a copy of Pamwe Chete, you'll be happy to know that most (but not quite all) of the photos of that book have been reproduced here.