Book review :
A History of South Africa
When our borders open for international tourists again , A History of South Africa by Frank Welsh , must surely be on the list of mandatory books to read for those visiting the country ’ s shores .
Welsh , who is a historian , novelist and former banker , has written considerably on imperial British history in South Africa , Hong Kong and Australia .
In a review on the website of retailer Waterstones , Anthony Sampson , who has penned several books including Mandela : The Authorised Biography , describes Welsh ’ s work as a “ remarkable feat of scholarship , fairness and readability , full of lively detail with a freshness of style which brings new life to the narrative ”.
According to a synopsis of the book , which was re-released in April 2020 , throughout South Africa ’ s turbulent history , it has received worldwide attention , which has often been hostile . However , prejudice and ignorance regarding the country remain widespread .
“ The evolution of the present-day ‘ Rainbow
Nation ’ has taken place under conditions of sometimes extreme pressure . Since long before the arrival of the first European settlers in the 17th century , the country has been home to a complex and uneasily co-existing blend of races and cultures , and successive waves of immigrants have added to the already volatile mixture ,” the synopsis reads .
It says despite the euphoria over the dismantling of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as president , South Africa ’ s history , racial mix and recent political upheavals
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