African history Books

Book SynopsisBeginning with Morocco’s incorporation into the Roman Empire, this book charts the country’s uneasy passage to the 21st century and reflects on the nation of citizens that is emerging from a diverse population of Arabs, Berbers, and Africans. This history of Morocco provides a glimpse of an imperial world, from which only the architectural treasures remain, and a profound insight into the economic, political, and cultural influences that will shape this country’s future.Trade Review"The best overview available in English. Pennell displays his mastery of the extensive body of literature on Morocco. An exemplar of a national history survey." * Digest of Middle East Studies *"Pennell undertakes an ambitious endeavour and accomplishes it in a remarkable fashion. Much more readable than similar works on the history of North Africa." * The Middle East Journal *

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Book SynopsisDid white South Africa crack, or did its leadership yield sufficiently and just in time to avert a revolution? The transformation has been called a miracle, belying gloomy predictions of race war in which the white minority went into a laager and fought to the last drop of blood. Why did it happen? Professor Welsh views the topic against the backdrop of a long history of conflict spanning apartheid's rise and demise, and the liberation movement's suppression and subsequent resurrection. His view is that the movement away from apartheid to majority rule would have taken far longer and been much bloodier were it not for the changes undergone by Afrikaner nationalism itself. There were turning points, such as the Soweto uprising of 1976, but few believed that the transition from white domination to inclusive democracy would occur as soon -- and as relatively peacefully -- as it did. In effect, however, a multitude of different factors led the ANC and the National Party to see that neither side could win the conflict on its own terms. Utterly dissimilar in background, culture, beliefs and political style, Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk were an unlikely pair of liberators. But both soon recognised that they were dependent on each other to steer the transformation process through to its conclusion.Trade Review"Narratively structured, it flows effortlessly. Compulsive reading." - Stanley Uys "An authoritative, balanced and lucid history of the rise and demise of apartheid. This is liberal history at its best." - Hermann Giliomee "Informative, succinct and stimulating." - F van Zyl Slabbert

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Book SynopsisRhino Warby Major General (Ret.) Johan Jooste, with Tony ParkIn 2012 retired South African general Johan Jooste was parachuted into the seemingly unwinnable war against rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park.With poaching spiralling out of control, Jooste was given the mandate to ''go military'', to convert Kruger''s ranger corps into a para-military force capable of taking the fight to poachers.Aged 60, white, and a veteran of 35 years of military service, Jooste''s controversial appointment was immediately met with resentment and outright hostility by elements of South African National Parks, the police, and even the military he had served with.With the media, government, conservationists, human rights activists and the people of South Africa looking over his shoulder, Jooste had to battle opponents within and without to see through his strategy for turning the tide of rhino poaching.Rhino War tells how Jooste, facing an unprecedented assault on a single national park and a species, took a demoralised force of men and women and turned them into arguably the best anti-poaching unit on the African continent.Told through his eyes and stories of the courage and grit of rangers who daily risked their lives to protect wildlife in the face of a wily and determined foe, this is a story of heroism, sacrifice and determination.Humbly, honestly and decisively, Jooste tells of the successes and failures of his bold strategy, and shares his vision for the future. 

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