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No Outspan: A Boer Journal of Life after the War
“[A]n entertaining narrative of his activities … in the course of which he has succeeded in proving … that in spite of our quarrels, South Africa is a country of good temper and good will, with the hope of a united nation to come.” — General J. C. Smuts
Standing as two pillars in his life, when Gens. Botha and Smuts stated their need for him back home the once-exiled Boer did not fully realise the turning point it would be.
Deneys Reitz believed that South Africa’s safety lay with the Commonwealth, and its people’s unity was only attainable under its shelter, and on his return in 1919 he entered the political arena, joining Smuts’ South African Party.
Although he returned to law and later travelled following Gen. Hertzog’s National Party’s rise to power in 1924, less than a decade later he returned as part of a “united” coalition.
With the outbreak of WWII and Hertzog’s bid for neutrality failing, Reitz found himself appointed Smuts’ Deputy Prime his subsequent journeyings and encounters were no less extraordinary than any that had come before.
Concluding the narrative of an extraordinary life, No Outspan recounts Reitz’s colourful adventures and endeavours as the long-drawn political struggle for South Africa continued.
Deneys Reitz (1882-1944) was a Boer solider, lawyer, author and politician. From the day he enlisted in a commando to the Western Front and beyond, his life’s work would be devoted to South Africa. He married in 1920, and his wife would go on to become the first female member of the House of Assembly of South Africa. Commando and Trekking On are the first two volumes of his memoirs.
For details of other books published by Albion Press go to the website at www.albionpress.co.uk.
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Standing as two pillars in his life, when Gens. Botha and Smuts stated their need for him back home the once-exiled Boer did not fully realise the turning point it would be.
Deneys Reitz believed that South Africa’s safety lay with the Commonwealth, and its people’s unity was only attainable under its shelter, and on his return in 1919 he entered the political arena, joining Smuts’ South African Party.
Although he returned to law and later travelled following Gen. Hertzog’s National Party’s rise to power in 1924, less than a decade later he returned as part of a “united” coalition.
With the outbreak of WWII and Hertzog’s bid for neutrality failing, Reitz found himself appointed Smuts’ Deputy Prime his subsequent journeyings and encounters were no less extraordinary than any that had come before.
Concluding the narrative of an extraordinary life, No Outspan recounts Reitz’s colourful adventures and endeavours as the long-drawn political struggle for South Africa continued.
Deneys Reitz (1882-1944) was a Boer solider, lawyer, author and politician. From the day he enlisted in a commando to the Western Front and beyond, his life’s work would be devoted to South Africa. He married in 1920, and his wife would go on to become the first female member of the House of Assembly of South Africa. Commando and Trekking On are the first two volumes of his memoirs.
For details of other books published by Albion Press go to the website at www.albionpress.co.uk.
Albion Press is an imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
- GenresAfricaNonfictionHistory
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1943
49 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 14, 2016
I've read the trilogy by Reitz. Absolutely engrossing reads; what a man. For myself having been brought up on the brand name of "Outspan" for oranges, I was intrigued to discover that it is a Boer word for the peace and rest by a water-hole at the end of a day's trekking. The book ends in 1943 and gives a good insight into the second world war from a non British politician's view.
I loved it, as I did the previous two books
I loved it, as I did the previous two books
July 25, 2020
An unique and enlightening look at South Africa during the two world wars. Written by a politician, it is focusing on the national beauty of the landscape and its inhabitants.
Several journeys into remote parts of the country, its neighbors and to other parts of the globe when travel was restrained, are discussed in detail.
Several journeys into remote parts of the country, its neighbors and to other parts of the globe when travel was restrained, are discussed in detail.
May 27, 2020
Must read for South Africans interested in history
What a colourful life and times the author lived in. Much to learn about the history of South Africa and the world around the time of the 2 World Wars.
What a colourful life and times the author lived in. Much to learn about the history of South Africa and the world around the time of the 2 World Wars.
January 21, 2018
c1943: (6) FWFTB: Boer, 1924, Deputy Prime Minister, South Africa. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to have the original version with the marvellous mention in the frontspiece, "This book is produced in complete conformity with the authorised economy standards.". I thoroughly enjoyed this book with the period of between the two world wars in Africa being one of my favourite times and settings. The descriptions of the bush, the animals and the sheer freedom of movement and lifestyles are brilliant and what characters he came across in the strangest places. "Afrika, indlela inhliziyo yami ikulangazelela ngayo". My copy of the book also included maps of the areas he was talking about which is a definite way to my heart. 'We passed the Kwando (Chobe), then over hundreds of miles of curious transverse dunes until at last we struck the Okavango at Andaras on the Angolan frontier - unmapped, unflown country."
July 30, 2023
As it was
This is a fascinating story, written about a year before the writer died. It reveals the personalities of several figures in South African history who had previously been only names to me.
I was at school with the grandchildren of some of the major actors in the pre World War II South Africa.
Many of the places are familiar to me.
For his time the author was an enlightened man.
His adventurous spirit and continued willingness to risk his life in causes he believed in is exceptional. He relates that George V told him he kept his two earlier books at his bedside.
Anyone interested in the history of South Africa and the fiercely antagonistic racial attitudes should read this lucid book.
This is a fascinating story, written about a year before the writer died. It reveals the personalities of several figures in South African history who had previously been only names to me.
I was at school with the grandchildren of some of the major actors in the pre World War II South Africa.
Many of the places are familiar to me.
For his time the author was an enlightened man.
His adventurous spirit and continued willingness to risk his life in causes he believed in is exceptional. He relates that George V told him he kept his two earlier books at his bedside.
Anyone interested in the history of South Africa and the fiercely antagonistic racial attitudes should read this lucid book.
July 7, 2021
A peek into the extraordinary life of Deneys Reitz, deputy president to Jan Smuts and a man who chose a life of untraveled adventure. The anecdotes and off the cuff remarks were scattered gems hidden along a reading journey that kept me well entertained. I’m convinced both Deneys and Smuts were the wisest two people South Africa has ever had in office, and their goal of uniting our country still rings true with me today.
An incredibly well written book and one which was only possible from a well lived life. Well played sir - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An incredibly well written book and one which was only possible from a well lived life. Well played sir - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 19, 2024
The racism in this book is sickening. I know people will say that it was the times BUT there were a minority of whites that did not subscribe to calling black people savages, boys, etc. The author's racism was possible just more sophisticated than you would have had from a commoner on the street.
There were indeed good parts in the book like historical narratives and his travelling experiences.
But for someone that claims to only shoot for the pot, to then shoot lions and crocodiles just for the heck of it also did not do it for me.
There were indeed good parts in the book like historical narratives and his travelling experiences.
But for someone that claims to only shoot for the pot, to then shoot lions and crocodiles just for the heck of it also did not do it for me.
January 18, 2018
In this third memoir following the First World War, Reitz goes into politics, serving as an MP, a Cabinet Minister and even as Deputy Prime Minister in under Jan Smuts. These were tumultuous times in the run-up to, and through, World War Two and the defeat of his party in 1948 by the party which implemented Apartheid. A very good read.
August 30, 2021
A true tale of extreme courage and honour.
I read Deneys Reitz previous two books and this made it essential for me to read this one. Mr Deneys Reitz was a most important person in the history of South Africa. His exploits are nothing less than heroic and he tells the story with great aplomb. Read this book it is worth every minute.
I read Deneys Reitz previous two books and this made it essential for me to read this one. Mr Deneys Reitz was a most important person in the history of South Africa. His exploits are nothing less than heroic and he tells the story with great aplomb. Read this book it is worth every minute.
August 30, 2020
No Outspan-Deneys Reitz
Written (and set) in the early 20th century; the peripatetic life of a privileged tough adventurer, smart raconteur and canny South African politician. A good read; particularly if you can deal with indigenous Africans referred to as savages etc.
Written (and set) in the early 20th century; the peripatetic life of a privileged tough adventurer, smart raconteur and canny South African politician. A good read; particularly if you can deal with indigenous Africans referred to as savages etc.
November 4, 2020
Absolutely fantastic. Highly recommend the trilogy to anyone interested in South Africa of about a century ago.
January 28, 2021
Wow! This man was an inadvertent adventurer. He packed five lives into one. Fascinating - albeit cryptic - storytelling.
January 6, 2024
A truly wonderful book. Superbly written by a very clever man. An amazing story of Deneys Reitz adventures, and life during the 20’s and 30’s. I really enjoyed the read.
September 21, 2023
I don't know why Goodreads shows this as 2 separate books, but this instance has the same cover picture as my copy so I shall comment on it.
This is Vol 3 of the memoirs of Deneys Reitz, which started so well with the magnificent book ''Commando''. This one is not as good but nevertheless gives the internal perspective of the Smuts / Hertzog Fusion Govt and its breakdown at the beginning of WW2, and the consequent SA declaration of war on Germany. Interesting piece of history, and his telling reflects well on General Smuts; hardly a surprise as Reitz was a Smuts man in the sense that he would have followed Smuts anywhere. There were many of these, because loyalties forged in war last a long time. It is always interesting to see truly contemporaneous opinions (he died in 1943) including of the OB.
There is an argument to be made that we South Africans have built our country by uniting rather than fighting to the end. In evidence one might point to the Union, the Rebellion, and the establishment of the United Party. Also, long after the period of this book, 1994 and the new Constitution. Although, as the author points out, the Afrikaners excel in fighting among each other, most of them have realised the long term benefit of standing together with our ex-enemies. Perhaps in this way, as the author suggests, we differ from the Irish who are as intent on fighting among each other as we are (p 318, including comments on what might have been the outcome of an alternative Irish approach. Unfortunately he pleads confidentiality about the discussions with De Valera).
These interesting historical bits are well hidden among tales of interminable visits to the (then) undeveloped parts of Africa, ''and then we saw another lion or elephant'', etc.. These are mildly interesting for the undeveloped state of so much of the subcontinent relatively recently, and as cultural history. The condescending treatment of the lesser races is worthy of a High Victorian Englishman.
p 344 about the campaign in Abyssinia: ''I was told that an Italian Army document was picked up which read: ''The Italian troops are retreating in good order. The South African troops are advancing in the wildest confusion.'' Apparently this is also what happened in (then) DSWA in 1914.
This is Vol 3 of the memoirs of Deneys Reitz, which started so well with the magnificent book ''Commando''. This one is not as good but nevertheless gives the internal perspective of the Smuts / Hertzog Fusion Govt and its breakdown at the beginning of WW2, and the consequent SA declaration of war on Germany. Interesting piece of history, and his telling reflects well on General Smuts; hardly a surprise as Reitz was a Smuts man in the sense that he would have followed Smuts anywhere. There were many of these, because loyalties forged in war last a long time. It is always interesting to see truly contemporaneous opinions (he died in 1943) including of the OB.
There is an argument to be made that we South Africans have built our country by uniting rather than fighting to the end. In evidence one might point to the Union, the Rebellion, and the establishment of the United Party. Also, long after the period of this book, 1994 and the new Constitution. Although, as the author points out, the Afrikaners excel in fighting among each other, most of them have realised the long term benefit of standing together with our ex-enemies. Perhaps in this way, as the author suggests, we differ from the Irish who are as intent on fighting among each other as we are (p 318, including comments on what might have been the outcome of an alternative Irish approach. Unfortunately he pleads confidentiality about the discussions with De Valera).
These interesting historical bits are well hidden among tales of interminable visits to the (then) undeveloped parts of Africa, ''and then we saw another lion or elephant'', etc.. These are mildly interesting for the undeveloped state of so much of the subcontinent relatively recently, and as cultural history. The condescending treatment of the lesser races is worthy of a High Victorian Englishman.
p 344 about the campaign in Abyssinia: ''I was told that an Italian Army document was picked up which read: ''The Italian troops are retreating in good order. The South African troops are advancing in the wildest confusion.'' Apparently this is also what happened in (then) DSWA in 1914.
July 14, 2018
Long rambling epic personal tale of an Afrikaner statesman who served South Africa well in the decades that he found himself.
March 5, 2019
Deneys Reitz had a fascinating life, and this third book paints an inside picture of white politics in the run-up to apartheid.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews