The Boer War: 1899-1902

by David Smurthwaite

The Boer War pitted the might of the British Empire (with more than half a million men mobilized) against 80,000 South African Boers--and this detailed and lavishly illustrated history goes right to the heart of the struggle. A timeline gives at-a-glance information on what spurred the conflict and how the events unfolded, while eyewitness accounts from soldiers of all ranks describe the brutality from both viewpoints. The in-depth narrative, by a renowned historian, studies the strategies, politics, and social implications of the strife, and looks at some of the major figures involved--including Winston Churchill. In more than 200 pictures, including hundreds of vintage photographs, follow the road to war, the first offensives, the guerrilla fighting, and finally the road to peace. Illuminating. The Boer War pitted the might of the British Empire (with more than half a million men mobilized) against 80,000 South African Boers--and this detailed and lavishly illustrated history goes right to the heart of the struggle. A timeline gives at-a-glance information on what spurred the conflict and how the events unfolded, while eyewitness accounts from soldiers of all ranks describe the brutality from both viewpoints. The in-depth narrative, by a renowned historian, studies the strategies, politics, and social implications of the strife, and looks at some of the major figures involved--including Winston Churchill. In more than 200 pictures, including hundreds of vintage photographs, follow the road to war, the first offensives, the guerrilla fighting, and finally the road to peace. Illuminating.

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2003

Reviews

[Joseph Boquiren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gets my lowest rating yet. I gave it two stars instead of one since the author did his research. The fancy page graphics distracts from the reading. Worst of all the book has no maps!! I had to Google a South African map from that era, print it out and use it to understand the locations of the sieges, troop movements, rail lines, and political boundaries that the writer talks about. A book about military history with no maps is a fatal omission. DO NOT read this book. It absolutely sucks.

[L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again I had to break out the magnifying glass to read some of the teeny tiny text. For that you get docked several points, Book.