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News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All Posts filed under »Book Reviews«
A tale that is a warning & stark reminder
This book is much more than the very well told story of the life and tragic death of the young idealist; it is also a stark reminder of the mundane brutishness that can be unleashed when bigotry and power supercede justice.
Historical gallop reflected through a distorted prism
February 10, 2012
An archived and critical book review from 2004 dealing with RW Johnson's controversial South Africa: the first man, the last nation
An invaluable insight into apartheid’s ‘spooks’
January 6, 2011
Apartheid’s Friends — The rise and fall of South Africa’s Secret Service by James Sanders (John Murray) (First published: December, 2006) James Sanders is a researcher of note. He proved this with his doctoral thesis at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) which was published by Frank Cass in 2000 as South Africa […]
A failed attempt in need of a good editor
January 6, 2011
156 Hands that built South Africa — the 1956 Treason Trial by Phyllis Naidoo (self published) (First published: September, 2006) One of the critical events in the history of the anti-apartheid struggle was the treason trial of 156 men and women which began in Johannesburg’s old Drill Hall in December 1956. It was, and remains, […]
Gaining an insight into George Soros
January 6, 2011
George Soros is a household name associated mainly with philanthropy, but also for his advocacy for “open societies”. This, his ninth book, probably stands in place of an authobiography; it is by turns interesting and annoying, but provides considerable insight into a eccentric whose concerns are widely shared, even if his notions about the way forward may not be.
South Africa in Africa: The post-apartheid era
December 8, 2010
edited by Adekeye Adebajo, Adebayo Adedeji and Chris Landsberg (University of KZN Press) (First published, June 2008) This excellent volume does not deal with the prospects of a post-Mbeki presidency or with any of the possible fallout from the internecine feuding within the ANC. And this should not matter, for no matter the outcome now […]
Ramaphosa: an enigma continua
December 2, 2010
Cyril Ramaphosa, lawyer, trade unionist, politician and businessman, remains one of the most popular figures on the South African political scene. Yet his deeper beliefs and opinions remain hidden. The author of this biography, which Ramaphosa made clear he did not want written, does provide some excellent insights, but the subject remains an enigma.
January 30, 2013
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