Description

Book Synopsis

'Her life and her death remain a beacon to all who love liberty' NELSON MANDELA

An unforgettable account of defiance against political terror by one of South Africa's pioneering anti-apartheid activists.

'In prison you see only the moves of the enemy. Prison is the hardest place to fight a battle.'

117 Days is Ruth First's personal account of her detention under the iniquitous '90-day' law of 1963. There was no warrant, no charge and no trial - only suspicion.

This sparsely written and unique record tells of her experiences of solitary confinement, constant interrogation and instantaneous re-arrest on release - lightened by humorous portraits of governors, matrons, wardresses and interrogators, seen as the tools of the police state. This is the story of the war of nerves that ensued between First and her Special Branch captors-a work that remains a classic portrait of oppression and the dignity of the human spirit.



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[Ruth First's] life, and her death, remains a beacon to all who love liberty -- Nelson Mandela

117 Days: An Account of Confinement and Interrogation under the South African 90-Day Detention Law

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    A Paperback by Ruth First, Gillian Slovo

    15 in stock

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      View other formats and editions of 117 Days: An Account of Confinement and Interrogation under the South African 90-Day Detention Law by Ruth First

      Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
      Publication Date: 02/12/2010
      ISBN13: 9781844086306, 978-1844086306
      ISBN10: 1844086305
      Also in:
      Biography: general Memoirs

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      'Her life and her death remain a beacon to all who love liberty' NELSON MANDELA

      An unforgettable account of defiance against political terror by one of South Africa's pioneering anti-apartheid activists.

      'In prison you see only the moves of the enemy. Prison is the hardest place to fight a battle.'

      117 Days is Ruth First's personal account of her detention under the iniquitous '90-day' law of 1963. There was no warrant, no charge and no trial - only suspicion.

      This sparsely written and unique record tells of her experiences of solitary confinement, constant interrogation and instantaneous re-arrest on release - lightened by humorous portraits of governors, matrons, wardresses and interrogators, seen as the tools of the police state. This is the story of the war of nerves that ensued between First and her Special Branch captors-a work that remains a classic portrait of oppression and the dignity of the human spirit.



      Trade Review
      [Ruth First's] life, and her death, remains a beacon to all who love liberty -- Nelson Mandela

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