The Last Boer War

by H. Rider Haggard

"I am told that these men (the Boers) are told to keep on agitating in this way, for a change of Government in England may give them again the old order of things. Nothing can show greater ignorance of English politics than such an idea. I tell you there is no Government—Whig or Tory, Liberal, Conservative, or Radical—who would dare, under any circumstances, to give back this country (the Transvaal). They would not dare, because the English people would not allow them."—(Extract from Speech of Sir Garnet Wolseley, delivered at a Public Banquet in Pretoria, on the 17th December 1879.) "There was a still stronger reason than that for not receding (from the Transvaal); it was impossible to say what calamities such a step as receding might not cause…. For such a risk he could not make himself responsible…. Difficulties with the Zulu and the frontier tribes would again arise, and looking as they must to South Africa as a whole, the Government, after a careful consideration of the question, came to the conclusion that we could not relinquish the Transvaal."—(Extract from Speech of Lord Kimberley in the House of Lords, 24th May 1880. H.P.D., vol. cclii., p. 208.) "Our judgment is that the Queen cannot be advised to relinquish the Transvaal."—(Extract from Reply of Mr. Gladstone to Boer Memorial, 8th June 1880.)

Genres: History, British Literature

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1899

About the author

Sir Henry Rider Haggard, KBE was an English writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and the creator of the Lost World literary genre. His stories, situated at the lighter end of the scale of Victorian literature, continue to be popular and influential. He was also involved in agricultural reform and improvement in the British Empire.

His breakout novel was King Solomon's Mines (1885), which was to be the first in a series telling of the multitudinous adventures of its protagonist, Allan Quatermain.

Haggard was made a Knight Bachelor in 1912 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. He stood unsuccessfully for Parliament as a Conservative candidate for the Eastern division of Norfolk in 1895. The locality of Rider, British Columbia, was named in his memory.

Reviews

[Laura]

Proofreading as a volunteer at Project Gutenberg.

Free download available at Project Gutenberg.

[Trounin · Rating 3 out of 5]

1899 год – год начала второй англо-бурской войны. Её начало казалось неизбежным, вследствие неприятия Британской Империей самого факта существования независимых африканских колоний, должных находиться под её неизменным контролем. В том же году из-под пера Хаггарда вышла книга, повествующая о предпосылках первой англо-бурской войны и вплоть до её завершения. Основное, что он стремился сообщить читателю: англичане действовали из альтруизма, они стремились проявлять заботу об африканском населении, добиться порядка на землях буров, обеспечить функционирование государственного аппарата. Других интересов у них не было. И самое главное – буры представлены под видом ленивых и жадных созданий, должных быть лишёнными права называться цивилизованными людьми. И тот факт, что по итогам войны Трансвааль закрепил за собой занимаемые им земли, по мнению Райдера, явилось катастрофой для чернокожих жителей.

(c) Trounin

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in 1882 and not published until the eve of the Second Boer War, 1899-190. It is Haggard’s account of the causes and results of the South Africian Boer Rebellion in 1881 in which he was a participant. He also believes it is the basis for the 1899 Boer War. He is also a critic of Bristh policies and actions regarding the Boers which he feels were responsbile for the 1899 war.

This is detailed accounting of Boer attitudes and behaviors towards natives and the British, the Boer government set up and political situation and British actions and policies relating to the Boers which led up to the 1881 Boer Rebellion and then again to the outbreak of the “Last” Boer War.

[Koca Loca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was definitely not one of my favorites from H. Rider Haggard.
It was more like a historical documentary on the African Zulu tribal uprisings than a story novel. You have to really pay attention to detail in how he explains it. I found it tedious to read through.