For the first time, the 92-metre frieze of the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, one of the largest historical narratives in marble, has been made the subject of a book. The pictorial narrative of the Boer pioneers who conquered South Africa’s interior during the 'Great Trek' (1835-52) represents a crucial period of South Africa’s past. Conceptualising the frieze both reflected on and contributed to the country’s socio-political debates in the 1930s and 1940s when it was made. The book considers the active role the Monument played in the rise of Afrikaner nationalism and the development of apartheid, as well as its place in post-apartheid heritage. The frieze is unique in that it provides rare evidence of the complex processes followed in creating a major monument. Based on unpublished documents, drawings and models, these processes are unfolded step by step, from the earliest discussions of the purpose and content of the frieze, through all the stages of its design, to its shipping to post-war Italy to be copied into marble from Monte Altissimo, up to its final installation in the Monument. The book examines how visual representation transforms historical memory in what it chooses to recount, and the forms in which it is depicted. The second volume expands on the first, by investigating each of the twenty-seven scenes of the frieze in depth, providing new insights into not only the frieze, but also South Africa’s history. François van Schalkwyk of African Minds, co-publisher with De Gruyter writes: From Memory to Marble is an open access monograph in the true sense of the word. Both volumes of the digital version of the book are available in full and free of charge from the date of publication. This approach to publishing democratises access to the latest scholarly publications across the globe. At the same time, a book such as From Memory to Marble, with its unique and exquisite photographs of the frieze as well as its wealth of reproduced archival materials, demands reception of a more traditional kind, that is, on the printed page. For this reason, the book is likewise available in print as two separate volumes. The printed and digital books should not be seen as separate incarnations; each brings its own advantages, working together to extend the reach and utility of From Memory to Marble to a range of interested readers. For more material you can browse at Stanford's database "Voortrekker Monumentality: a digital archive".

A fine biography. [It] is a most satisfying book and an important contribution to South African scholarship. CAPE TIMES Scottish poet, fighter for human rights in the Cape Colony, and abolitionist, reveals the role this key Enlightenment figure played in Africa and Britain. This biography of Thomas Pringle (1789-1834), poet, fighter for human rights in the Cape Colony, and abolitionist, reveals the role this key Enlightenment figure played in Africa and Britain. Honoured in South Africa as 'the father of South African English poetry', for his part in achieving a free press, for his fight for the settlers' rights in the colony, in Scotland as the founding editor of Blackwood's Magazine, and in England as instrumental inbringing in abolition, Thomas Pringle has not yet had the attention he deserves. Born on the Scottish Borders, Pringle entered literary life in late Englightenment Edinburgh, but in 1820 led a party of settlers to theCape Colony. After running a school, launching a literary journal and co-editing the Cape's first independent newspaper, he formed a group to fight for democratic rights for both the settlers and the dispossessed indigenous people. His biography reveals the important part he played in the literary and political world across two continents, and in championing the Khoisan and the increasingly dispossessed Nguni people. On returning to England he became Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society, and on 15 June 1834 announced the implementation of abolition. After actively opposing the apartheid government in South Africa Randolph Vigne worked in exile as a London publisher andlatterly, in Britain and South Africa, as author and editor of European and African historical studies. Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe): UCT Press

"Jim was a South African railway inspector in the late 1800s who lost his legs in an accident while at work. Unable to perform all his tasks with his disability but desperate to keep his job, Jim discovered a brilliant solution, a baboon named Jack. Jim trained Jack to help him both at home and at the depot. But when the railway authorities and the public discovered a monkey on the job, Jack and Jim had to work together to convince everyone that they made a great team. This inspiring true story celebrates the history of service animals and a devoted friendship"--

Echoes from the Elands is a compilation of true short stories, poems, and historical tidbits echoed from very real folks who lived and who are still alive in Elands River Valley, South Africa. The stories span from the 1900s until today. These are stories of love, hardship, poverty, courage, kindness, humor, and humble everyday living. For the author, these are true, untainted history—history that matters.