The Truth in Masquerade: The Adventures of Francois le Vaillant

Francois le Vaillant's Journals of his travels into the interior of the eastern and north-western Cape in the years 1781 to 1784 form one of the most interesting and well-written of such accounts by early travellers in South Africa. Although much of what he wrote appeared far-fetched and raised considerable controversy and even ridicule in his own time and subsequently, the original journals are extremely readable and amusing. The author of this book has succeeded in bringing them truly to life and the result, we believe, will delight and fascinate readers for many years to come. Le Vaillant's journals were embellished with pictures drawn either by himself during his travels or under his supervision, later, in Europe. A collection of 165 of le Vaillant's water-colours has recently been purchased by Parliament for the sum of R15000, and some of these (in black and white) are reproduced in this book. Here, then, is the story of Francois le Vaillant as he emerges from his own recounting of his adventures; not concerned with the many controversies which have surrounded him and his work for nearly 200 years, but presenting him as he obviously wished to be seen by his contemporaries and by posterity.