[worleysoares]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone know of any good books about South Africa. About the the country's general history and culture. I have been reading Nadine Gordimer, a South African author, and consequently have become more interested on the country.

Thanks,
Worley

[Beukies]

To really understand the country and its (recent) history, you should read "Opening Pandora's Apartheid Box" by Mike Smith. Novelists and especially Gordimer will give you a very biased and skewed view.

I'm not sure if it's South Africa or Zimbabwe...but doesn't Wilbur Smith write fiction in that area?

I enjoyed immensely "The Power of One" by Bryce Courtenay. It is fiction and set in South Africa, where he was born.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122.The_Power_of_One

If you like him, he has other books also set in S. Africa, like Tandia or Whitethorn, but I think The Power of One was the very best.

[worleysoares]

Thanks for the info guys

When think of South African authors, J. M. Coetzee immediately comes to mind. He writes fiction, but his best novels are set in South Africa. Check out Disgrace and The Life & Times of Michael K.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6192.Disgrace

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6193.Life_Times_of_Michael_K

When think of South African authors, J. M. Coetzee immediately comes to mind. He writes fiction, but his best novels are set in South Africa. Check out Disgrace and The Life & Times of Michael K.

This topic is getting a bit old, but if anyone is still interested, here are some pointers (I am a South African)

Travel:
- Frommer's South Africa
- Eyewitness Travel: South Africa by Michael Brett, published by Dorling Kindersley
- The Masque of Africa - Glimpses of African Belief by V.S. Naipaul (not purely South Africa, though)

History:
- The Great Boer War by Arthur Conan Doyle - yeah, that AC Doyle
- Apartheid's Reluctant Uncle: The United States and Southern Africa in the Early Cold War by Thomas Borstelmann
- A Military History of South Africa: From the Dutch-Khoi Wars to the End of Apartheid by Timothy J. Stapleton
- Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela & Chris van Wyk & Paddy Bouma

Fiction (some of which gives great insight into the country as it was and is):
- Anything by Deon Meyer (13 Hours; 7 Days; Trackers; etc)
- Some of André P. Brink's work - he is an award winning author, but be warned, heavy reading ahead...
- As already mentioned, Bryce Courtenay is a must-read.
- J.M. Coetzee - but like A.P. Brink, this is literature. Not light reading.
- The Covenant by James A. Michener
- Jassie McKenzie's books play out in contemporary South Africa with all its ills and beauty.
- Roger Smith is much like Jassie McKenzie, but there are no first aid kits around if you get hurt reading this
- Tony Park focusses on wildlife
- And of course Wilbur Smith's Courtenay and Ballantyne novels.
- Other authors: Malla Nunn, Michael Stanley.

This should keep you busy

[tennisfan]

Great recommendations! May I add "Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation", by John Carlin? You may have seen "Invictus", but the book is a thousand times better (as they usually are)

Great recommendations! May I add "Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation", by John Carlin? You may have seen "Invictus", but the book is a thousand times better (as they usually are)

Thanks tf! I have not read the book and I did not think much of Invictus - the characters did nothing for me. But 1995 was a great moment in our history and I'll definitely seek out the book.

I am also a South African and it is nice to see other SAfricans here Thanks for the list silvertop - there are some books there that I haven't read and are going to go looking for now

have a nice weekend!

I am also a South African and it is nice to see other SAfricans here Thanks for the list silvertop - there are some books there that I haven't read and are going to go looking for now

have a nice weekend!

Only a pleasure I hope you find something you enjoy, and have a lekker braai this weekend!

PS @tennisfan: I bought the ebook of Playing the Enemy from Kalahari last night, but their site is broken and I haven't even been able to download it

You can buy and download books from the CNA site too.

[tennisfan]

PS @tennisfan: I bought the ebook of Playing the Enemy from Kalahari last night, but their site is broken and I haven't even been able to download it

Oh, I'm sorry to read that! Have you got it finally? I hope you enjoy it!

PS @tennisfan: I bought the ebook of Playing the Enemy from Kalahari last night, but their site is broken and I haven't even been able to download it

Oh, I'm sorry to read that! Have you got it finally? I hope you enjoy it!

Yep, got it eventually. Haven't touched it yet, I hope to start reading this weekend.
I went on a bit of a spree Also bought Roger Smith's latest book, Wake Up Dead. How's this for a first paragraph....

"THE NIGHT THEY WERE HIJACKED, ROXY PALMER AND HER HUSBAND, JOE, ate dinner with an African cannibal and his Ukrainian whore."

You can buy and download books from the CNA site too.

Thanks Zeebee. I wasn't aware of that, will go have a look.