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Of Warriors, Lovers and Prophets: Unusual Stories from South Africa's Past
This is South African history as you’ve never seen it a fresh, lively, accessible book recounting fascinating, quirky and unexpected stories about our past. Drawing from seven years of historical research, Max du Preez has collected the richest and most extraordinary tales that he found.
There’s the story of the Khoikhoi chief who was kidnapped and taken to England in 1610. And of King Moshoeshoe’s mercy towards the cannibals who had eaten his beloved grandfather, because killing them would defile his grandfather’s grave. There’s the story of Boer War general Christiaan de Wet and his brother Piet, who joined the British forces and fought his own people. The stories span the centuries, up to recent times, and take in the variety of South Africa’s regions and cultures.
The result is a fascinating mosaic of our rich historical heritage. There are plenty of academic histories of South Africa, but this is a book that the general reader will enjoy, and it will appeal to tourists too. It’s researched with an investigative journalist’s thoroughness, and written in the easy, accessible style that has made Max du Preez’s writing so popular.
There’s the story of the Khoikhoi chief who was kidnapped and taken to England in 1610. And of King Moshoeshoe’s mercy towards the cannibals who had eaten his beloved grandfather, because killing them would defile his grandfather’s grave. There’s the story of Boer War general Christiaan de Wet and his brother Piet, who joined the British forces and fought his own people. The stories span the centuries, up to recent times, and take in the variety of South Africa’s regions and cultures.
The result is a fascinating mosaic of our rich historical heritage. There are plenty of academic histories of South Africa, but this is a book that the general reader will enjoy, and it will appeal to tourists too. It’s researched with an investigative journalist’s thoroughness, and written in the easy, accessible style that has made Max du Preez’s writing so popular.
261 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2004
22 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 21, 2019
Excellent book using a journalistic style to bring history to life.
February 13, 2009
Du Preez has never been one for following the herd, and in this book he explores fascinating side-stories that would never otherwise have seen the light of day, and which most people would rather forget. It's a book for people who want to read a good story that just happens to be set in the past. It's not a book for school students or for old fogeys who want to read serious Africana.
Usually I avoid SA history. It's boring, passionless and preachy as Billy Graham in a victimised mood. This book on the other hand is actually interesting. It's the only book on SA history that I've read in a long time, and I only read it because of Du Preez's reputation. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Usually I avoid SA history. It's boring, passionless and preachy as Billy Graham in a victimised mood. This book on the other hand is actually interesting. It's the only book on SA history that I've read in a long time, and I only read it because of Du Preez's reputation. I was very pleasantly surprised.
May 29, 2015
Brilliant and easy reading history of South Africa. The most entertaining history book I have read. A must-read for anyone interested in lesser-known details of South Africa's fascinating history.
September 20, 2018
There was a bit of a mystery surrounding how I came by this book.
I had seen lying on a small coffee table in our complex foyer. I just thought someone had forgotten it. I didn't pay any attention to it until I saw it the next day and once seeing it was not a novel but a book about short stories on South Africa--I grabbed it and hurried up to my floor.
You have to understand that I live in Doha, Qatar and the nearest decent bookstore is Kinokiniya in Dubai--but I am in blockaded Qatar--no flights to there.
This is easily one of the best books I have read in awhile and it is the best one on probably the most misunderstood country and region in the world--South Africa.
Having spent time in the good old bad Republic of South Africa. I have my own opinion on the subject, plus I was engaged to a South African beauty but that is another story you will have to wait to read (if it ever gets published).
Nevertheless, I still think the Afrikaners and the English South Africans are the least understood people on the planet.
Du Prez's book may not fully explain that but he offers you some insight and hope on that country once called--"The skunk of Africa."
His book is an excellent recollection of short stories, beautifully written and thoroughly entertaining.
It was a shame I had to finish it as I truly enjoyed every minute.
The stories of the two Boer brothers and their break with each other--one supporting the British in a round about way and the other rightfully supporting his Afrikaner brothers is an enigma in itself.
There are great stories on Shaka Zulu, Moshoshoe, Lesotho and a cast of others in southern Africa.
This book is a melange of romance, history, politics, a bit of anthropology thrown in and a hint of archaeology dating from beginning of time up to when there was almost a 1990s race war (General Viljeon) to the present including a piece on Nelson Mandela.
I highly recommend this book for those who want to know more about South Africa and some of its characters.
This one is a keeper.
I intend to get his other books.
I had seen lying on a small coffee table in our complex foyer. I just thought someone had forgotten it. I didn't pay any attention to it until I saw it the next day and once seeing it was not a novel but a book about short stories on South Africa--I grabbed it and hurried up to my floor.
You have to understand that I live in Doha, Qatar and the nearest decent bookstore is Kinokiniya in Dubai--but I am in blockaded Qatar--no flights to there.
This is easily one of the best books I have read in awhile and it is the best one on probably the most misunderstood country and region in the world--South Africa.
Having spent time in the good old bad Republic of South Africa. I have my own opinion on the subject, plus I was engaged to a South African beauty but that is another story you will have to wait to read (if it ever gets published).
Nevertheless, I still think the Afrikaners and the English South Africans are the least understood people on the planet.
Du Prez's book may not fully explain that but he offers you some insight and hope on that country once called--"The skunk of Africa."
His book is an excellent recollection of short stories, beautifully written and thoroughly entertaining.
It was a shame I had to finish it as I truly enjoyed every minute.
The stories of the two Boer brothers and their break with each other--one supporting the British in a round about way and the other rightfully supporting his Afrikaner brothers is an enigma in itself.
There are great stories on Shaka Zulu, Moshoshoe, Lesotho and a cast of others in southern Africa.
This book is a melange of romance, history, politics, a bit of anthropology thrown in and a hint of archaeology dating from beginning of time up to when there was almost a 1990s race war (General Viljeon) to the present including a piece on Nelson Mandela.
I highly recommend this book for those who want to know more about South Africa and some of its characters.
This one is a keeper.
I intend to get his other books.
July 12, 2023
I have long been an admirer of Max du Preez, a brilliant South African investigative journalist unafraid to criticise authority, pre Apartheid and post Apartheid. I absolutely loved this book, a collection of vignettes, historical stories of events some of which are not mainstream or well known. They are written clearly and lucidly and with great integrity. A must read for all South Africans, and for those elsewhere who would like to have a better understanding of our country and especially of Africa, from whence all humankind arose. As the author writes at the end “We all have only one history”.
June 14, 2023
Should be a South African school text book. 20 hilarious, gob smacking, awe inspiring stories of characters you thought you knew, as well as those you’ve never heard about - but really should have! And having finished the book, these characters are now impossible to forget. Funny and tragic. Plus … A great 7 page - South African History At A Glance at the back of the book.
February 20, 2019
Good insight to SA history
April 20, 2023
Stories not taught inHistory class and more interesting
May 4, 2011
Du Preez's book is a real disappointment! When I say that, I mean in comparison to works like Jacques Pauws' Dances with Devils, Little Ice Cream Boy, etc. Du Preez's book does become a little more meaty towards the end with chapters on Winnie Mandela and stories from the TRC but otherwise its flat. Give this one miss and go straight onto the hardcore stuff from Pauw.
Nice quote at the end though of Du Preez's book that had me warm and tingly all over: "Let's acknowledge our differences and enjoy the stories of how those who came before us struggled with each other at times. But let's never forget that we are all African's...It is time to start thinking of our past as the time that forged all of us into the nation we are now at last becoming. We all have only one history."
Nice quote at the end though of Du Preez's book that had me warm and tingly all over: "Let's acknowledge our differences and enjoy the stories of how those who came before us struggled with each other at times. But let's never forget that we are all African's...It is time to start thinking of our past as the time that forged all of us into the nation we are now at last becoming. We all have only one history."
January 28, 2017
Varied collection of short stories dating from early European encounters with the Khoisan, Shaka Zulu's childhood, Boer outcasts and Dutch scoundrels, ANC freedom fighters and Mandela's triumph. The book culminates in 'A Last Word', a brief homage to the ups and downs of South African history that includes a lengthy excerpt from Thabo Mbeki's 1996 speech at the adoption of South Africa's constitution--'being part of all these people, and in the knowledge that none dare contest that assertion, I shall claim that -- I am an African.'
May 8, 2011
The second of Max's SA history books which I thoroughly enjoy reading (But I am pretty ignorant of SA history so everything is interesting). He takes interesting people from the last few hundred years and tells their story. Clearly his stories carry quite an Angle (We are all african, these are my ancestors) but they are well written and fascinating
March 24, 2008
An intriguing and charming book of unusual stories from South Africa. Some amazing discoveries to make when reading this book!
January 14, 2009
A light, easy read with some interesting vignettes from South Africa's lesser known history.
March 26, 2010
good history on south africa. beats school history texts!
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November 23, 2011This is an excellent book. A reread for me, but once again I'm impressed with du Preez's ability to show sympathy and love for his country an its stories.
January 12, 2012
Really enjoyed reading this book. Certainly NOT what we were taught at school, but does fill in the uncomfortable silences more than adequately.
July 28, 2012
A clever book, full of offbeat and eccentric characters from Sou African history.
October 8, 2012
Dit het 'n paar interessante geskiedkundige feite bevat wat ek nie geweet het nie, maar as daar nou vloekwoord in Du Preez se woordeskat bestaan, is dit "blanke".
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews