Expert battlefields guide Nicki von der Heyde presents 71 battles covering three wars and a series of conflicts that shaped the course of South Africa’s history – from the colonial clashes that characterised the 18th and 19th centuries through to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the 2nd Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902. Informative and lively accounts of the engagements are provided, with special attention given to the context, action, outcomes and principal combatants involved. Arranged in provincial and regional order, the Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa includes an array of special features that allow for an enthralling and multi-layered account of the battles: • 580 images • 80 illustrated timelines • 60 fact and feature boxes • 16 annotated battle maps • 10 regional locator maps • Detailed directions to each site • GPS co-ordinates for inaccessible locations. Comprehensive, compelling and vividly illustrated, the Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa is an indispensable tool for professional and amateur military historians as well as anyone interested in exploring South Africa’s fascinating history.

In this groundbreaking book, author and specialist battlefields guide, Nicki von der Heyde, presents over 70 battles and skirmishes covering five wars that shaped the course of South African history--from the Frontier Wars that started in 1779 to the Second-Anglo Boer War of 1899-1902, a bitter and costly confrontation triggered by the discovery of

In this companion volume to the highly successful Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa, the pivotal sieges that characterised the Cape Frontier, Anglo-Zulu, Basotho and Anglo-Boer wars are brought together in one volume. Accounts of 17 sieges over the last two centuries explore in detail the historical context in which they occurred, the day-to-day military actions that sustained the investments and the conditions both soldiers and civilians faced while defending their territory against a hostile force. The siege descriptions are animated by maps, timelines and a variety of information boxes and human-interest stories, gleaned mainly from diaries, letters and eye-witness accounts, while long-form features focus on the practical aspects of siege warfare, such as artillery, medicine, food, and the psychological effects of besiegement. The book also provides practical information for visitors who wish to explore these historical sites. A fascinating read that will appeal to anyone interested in the volatile history of the country – armchair historians and travellers alike.

Introducing real-world case studies from across the globe, Battlefield Tourism contributes to the growing fields of dark tourism, destination and risk management, and tourism security.

Contemporary Military Geosciences in South Africa presents the reader with chapters celebrating the scope, reach and impact of themes researched by military geoscientists. The first topics under investigation ranges from battlefield archaeology and battlefield tourism to military environmental management and the development of a unique South African spatial decision support system for military integrated environmental management. This is followed by an in-depth look at contemporary maritime factors at play in South Africa. The book is concluded by an analysis of the issues surrounding military mobility software and terrain negotiability, as well as a comprehensive examination of how geographic factors influence the distribution of natural radionuclides in a military area.

Contemporary Military Geosciences in South Africa presents the reader with chapters celebrating the scope, reach and impact of themes researched by military geoscientists. The first topics under investigation ranges from battlefield archaeology and battlefield tourism to military environmental management and the development of a unique South African spatial decision support system for military integrated environmental management. This is followed by an in-depth look at contemporary maritime factors at play in South Africa. The book is concluded by an analysis of the issues surrounding military mobility software and terrain negotiability, as well as a comprehensive examination of how geographic factors influence the distribution of natural radionuclides in a military area.

In A Man Apart Richard Steyn once again brings to life a South African icon. Louis Botha was the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, a union he did much to create in the decade after the devastation of the Anglo-Boer War. During the war Botha was a brilliant young Boer general who through his battlefield strategy won significant victories over the British in the early stages of the war. When the weight of British arms overwhelmed the Boers, Botha along with Smuts did much to encourage peace between English and Afrikaner and led the country to Union in 1910 and dominion status. Botha was a big-hearted and generous man who showed magnanimity in his dealings with all, including former enemies. He led the South African troops to victory and the capture of German South West Africa – prior to this he had to put down a revolt of pro-German Afrikaners. At the Peace of Versailles, representing South Africa, he pleaded unsuccessfully for magnanimity towards the Germans. Botha was a globally respected figure – he and Smuts effectively operated as a double act in South Africa and on the international stage before Botha's untimely death in August 1919 at only 57. In A Man Apart this tragically short life is illuminated in full.