The Randlords: The Men Who Made South Africa

Geoffrey Wheatcroft, The Randlords. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1986.

Paperback, 23 x 15.5 cm, 314 pages, plates.

Paper browned, a little foxing on the edges of the text-block and plates. Good condition.

'This is the story not only of the men who built the South African gold and diamond mining industries - from the Victorians Rhodes, Beit, Barnato and Robinson to the present-day Oppenheimers - but also the story of the country itself, for it was on the Rand that the whole modern economy and society of South Africa today was created. The Randlords' lives were colourful, their legacy ambiguous.

'"Very readable, singularly unbiased and packed with interesting information" Financial Times 

'"By concentrating on the financial and mining characters in the drama he not only brings together a lot of wonderful stories of madness, mendacity and vulgarity but is also able to explore some interesting themes that normally do not get proper attention." Observer 

'"A very good book" Ronald Segal, Guardian 

'"An instructive and engaging study which is as good an introduction to the historical background of modern South Africa as any I know." Paul Johnson, Listener 

'Geoffrey Wheatcroft, journalist and former literary editor of the Spectator is currently a columnist on the Standard.

'With 16 pages of photographs.'