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Leonard Monteath Thompson
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A History of South Africa, Fourth Edition Paperback – Illustrated, April 29, 2014

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 258 ratings
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A fresh and penetrating exploration of South Africa’s history, from the earliest known human inhabitation of the region to the present

“I did not think it was possible for a white person to write a history of South Africa which a black South African would find to be a fair and accurate account of a beautiful land and its people. Leonard Thompson has disabused me of that notion. His is a history that is both accurate and authentic, written in a delightful literary style.”—Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The Fourth Edition of this classic text brings South Africa's history up to date with a new chapter chronicling the first presidential term of Mbeki and ending with the funeral of Nelson Mandela.

“An admirably objective history of South Africa . . . [that] will be most useful in contemplating the country’s future.”—Lorna Hahn, New York Times Book Review

“This is a work of insight and durability that is certain to assist South Africa’s coming generation of nation-builders to reach a more objective understanding of their past.”—Foreign Affairs
 
“Concentrating on southern Africa’s black inhabitants, rather than on its white minority, this work has received universal praise from scholars and activists alike.”—Washington Post Book World

“The text is basic for any reader who wishes to comprehend the historical patterns that preface the struggles that seethe and boil in this country. A careful, reliable book for student research.”—School Library Journal

 
Previous page
  1. Print length
    437 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Yale University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 29, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    8.23 x 5.77 x 1.36 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0300189354
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0300189353
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lynn Berat’s brilliant addition to Leonard Thompson’s superlative history takes the reader on a riveting tour of twenty-first century South Africa in all its triumph and tragedy."—Cindy Kaplan, Committed Artists of South Africa

About the Author

Leonard Thompson was Charles J. Stillé Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University. Lynn Berat is an internationally renowned expert on southern African law and legal history who worked closely with Thompson on previous editions of A History of South Africa.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press; Updated edition (April 29, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 437 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300189354
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300189353
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.23 x 5.77 x 1.36 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 258 ratings

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Leonard Monteath Thompson

Leonard Monteath Thompson

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
258 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ian R
5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating book
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
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Fascinating book! Well worth the read for anyone who is interested in the history of South Africa. Well written, detailed, and very entertaining.
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Charles Dillingham
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good survey of SA history
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2016
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I read this before and after a visit to SA on the way to safari in Botswana. I wish I had finished it before I left, as it would have provided the basis for good conversations the the people I met
It is a very complete history, up through 2014, clearly describing all the country's many, many problems, yet at the end holding out hope. My only criticism is that much too much attention is given to the pre-colonial history. It's a slow slog until you get to the late 19th century. But then it's riveting.
One person found this helpful
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Nicky B
5.0 out of 5 stars Unambiguous racism and white supremacy
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2022
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In the United States we have become so inundated with calls of racism and white supremacism in the 21st century, many Americans are confused. This book can help to clarify these terms and applications. White South Africans did everything imaginable to make sure that the majority black population would never be able to challenge their power in the government, economy, and society. This took place until 1990. These were racist white supremacists. The book also covers some of the challenges that South Africa faces in the post-apartheid period that are unrelated to the period of white rule.
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King Sibande
3.0 out of 5 stars Base history of South Africa
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2019
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A good book for a newbie in South African history, it gives insights to some major events in South African history
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Victor L
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history for the curious
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2019
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It is interesting to note the proportion of reviewers who read this book because of an anticipated or experienced trip to South Africa. I am among them! My wife and I went to South Africa early in February and while there my profound and embarrassing ignorance about the country led me to Amazon, where I downloaded the book to my Kindle and started reading it immediately. It reads very well. In some places it is a bit of a slog, but that is inevitable in almost any comprehensive history. (I didn't finish the book until after we came home) Overall, I think the book moved along very well and certainly provided me with the information I wanted and needed to learn about and enjoy South Africa and her people. I recommend this book highly.
5 people found this helpful
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Reed N. D. Dark
4.0 out of 5 stars Fine print
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2020
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This book had a finer print than I expected, I’m looking forward to reading it but won’t be able to read it as quickly as I’d hoped.

The super book store that shipped the book was careless in their packing of the book making pages lie open, at the least. Looking at the inside packing it’s a miracle that the entire book wasn’t more damage. And, no I haven’t found how to put this on their site review.
3 people found this helpful
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J. T. Gotsick
5.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to south African history
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2019
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A good introduction to the history of southern Africa and the genesis of the current country of South Africa, at least from a European perspective. It does not cover the African perspective in great depth, and so likely misses a large portion of the full history. I don't think this is due to a lack of recognition of this omission or a European bias per se (the very dark colonial history of Dutch and the British in the region is made clear), but likely a recognition that the author simply could not research this perspective adequately. Even with this limitation, it is a very reasonable choice for a person looking to gain some initial perspective on this unique country before a first visit.
2 people found this helpful
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David B
5.0 out of 5 stars The Beloved Country
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2017
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A terrific history of South Africa bringing the reader to a full understanding of the current era. A remarkable story of a country that is so beautiful one's heart aches when witnessing its natural splendor. And a tale of vicious greed and exploitation that has continued after the democratic transition. The book captures the undeniable truth of the brutality and evil indifference of its white settlers (a people who left a poisonous legacy to their descendants in the current generation of white South Africans) as well the disgusting corruption and greed of its current ANC rulers exemplified by the president, Jacob Zuma, and his acolytes. A man to be vilified throughout history equally as much as Nelson Mandela is to be celebrated.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in South Africa and a must read for anyone planning to visit.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Deb Morissette
5.0 out of 5 stars History of South Africa
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2023
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After visiting South Africa I felt I needed to know more about this country. This book sure opened my eyes to the struggle that still continues today for African people.
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JD
5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of South African history
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 6, 2020
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I confess I knew nothing about the history of South Africa and decided to learn a bit about it. I think that Leonard Thompson's book provides one a good summary and overview of the history of this complex and fascinating country. The books starts in the 16th century (pre-European arrival) and then explores the Dutch East India days (1652-1795)... the Afrikaner trek (~1830-50s) and much more - including the more recent history elements of post-Apartheid.
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Olga Heibel
5.0 out of 5 stars For everyone who’s interested in South Africa
Reviewed in Germany on February 9, 2019
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For readers who want to learn more about SA‘s history and the development of the country as it is today with its lingering past. Great insight and comprehensible written.
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Colin
4.0 out of 5 stars The early history
Reviewed in Australia on May 6, 2023
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It is important to understand the history of the clash of the Europeans (Dutch and English) and Africans (from West Africa and lands north of the Limpopo) and the treatment by the former of the Xhosa and Zulu people. It is also important to understand what the years of Apartheid has cost the country and, unfortunately, the levels of corruption and that are decimating the economy.
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RAS
4.0 out of 5 stars Histoire de l'Afrique du Sud
Reviewed in France on May 31, 2018
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Voici une Histoire de l'Afrique du Sud depuis les tous débuts jusque vers 2012, très documentée et très volumineuse. C'est vraiment pour des personnes qui veulent tout savoir, excepté les dernières années. Leonard Thompson, professeur d'Histoire à Yale et spécialiste de l'Afrique du Sud, est mort en 2004, cette édition a été mise à jour en 2014 par Lynn Berat. Ceci dit, pour les personnes intéressées par une Histoire plus rapide, je conseille "South Africa: History in an Hour", c'est nettement plus court et ça permet d'avoir une vue générale.
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