Of Tricksters, Tyrants and Turncoats

by Max Du Preez

The sequel to Of Warriors, Lovers and Prophets, this book is a collection of more colorful, fascinating – and mostly unknown – characters, spanning more than three hundred years of South African history. There are stories of slaves, lively Khoisan characters and the first ‘Cape Malays’ and Muslims. The story of the Xhosa prophet Makhanda, who nearly succeeded in taking Grahamstown from the British in 1819 and who later escaped from Robben Island, will take most readers by surprise.

Also covered are the Foster gang of Johannesburg, who were indirectly responsible for the killing of Boer hero Koos de la Rey; David Pratt, the man who shot Hendrik Verwoerd in the head at the Rand Easter Show; and the three men who pulled off the biggest jewelry heist of the time, stealing Bridget Oppenheimer’s jewelry in 1956. And there’s the sensational and previously unknown story of how a right-wing attack using small airplanes at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994 was thwarted at the last moment.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, South Africa

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2009

Reviews

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative book telling the stories of fascinating, lesser-known South Africans, from the 1600s to the 2000s.

Some of my favorite chapters were on Johannes van der Kemp, a 19th-century missionary who insisted on equality of the races; the Foster Gang of bank robbers and its accidental connection to General Koos de la Rey in the time of the Boer War; and Bheki Jacobs, who fought against apartheid and then against ANC corruption in the late 1900s.

This book was not easy to follow as someone who doesn't know much South African history--it was hard to keep track of each chapter's characters amid an onslaught of names and places. Each chapter could have used its own map.

I read the paperback for book club.

[Yo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very insightful & interesting book which highlights certain people & events in the history of South Africa of which I was totally unaware before reading this book. Thank you Max do Preez

[Jevon Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not always well written (or maybe badly edited?) but a really interesting dive into SA’s history

[Carlos Ch · Rating 4 out of 5]

History can be unveiled, re-discovered or re-written through investigative journalism. Du Preez' hit resides in inviting its readers to choose their history leaders among the rich South African tradition of Bushmen, Khoikhoi, Afrikaners, British, etc. and writing entertaining true events to support this noble ambition. Thus, employing history as a tool of social cohesion, in the same way that Mandela and the South African’s progressive constitution envisioned.

[Tiah]

An easily accessible and informative read into unique characters that make up South Africa's history. The last two chapters gave me chills. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a user friendly, but well research, peek into the complex layered history of South Africa.

[Chidi]

Nice book with a journalistic twist featuring short stories about the history of South Africa. This is not your typical history book but more a true (hi)story line told in a fictional style

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book for dipping into. I love the way Du Preez digs into archives to come up with tantalising and fascinating stories from South Africa's past.