Very interesting, easy to read and elegant hardcover publication. (Review by Keith Millar)
The vast arid hinterland of South Africa, known as the Karoo, is to many
no more than an area to drive through on their journey to and from the Cape.
However, if they would pause for a while and take a look around, they
would discover a land of extraordinary splendour and of considerable historical
and cultural significance.
Chris Schoeman’s impressive book The
Historical Karoo serves the purpose of educating and informing readers of
the towns, buildings, places of interest, events and fascinating characters that are part of the history of this fascinating and hauntingly beautiful part of
South Africa.
The Historical Karoo is a very
attractively presented book, with high quality glossy pages tinted
with a subtle brown colour to give them a distinct look of antiquity. The
book has an abundance of fascinating photographs, both new and historical,
which illustrate the content perfectly and bring the subject matter to life.
However, I did feel that some of the photographs were printed a bit too
small and result in a loss of their impact and significance.
Chris Schoeman did widespread and significant research for this book. Other than his own extensive travel and interviews, he has included no less than ten pages listing his
sources of information in the Notes and
Bibliography sections.
A total of 46 towns, villages, hamlets and districts from right across
the Groot (Great) and Klein (Little) Karoo are included in the book. Intriguing
insights are given into the origins, historical architecture, pioneers and
events which shaped the towns of the Karoo and the area as a whole.
The Karoo has attracted a host of famous travellers, writers, statesmen
and scientists over the years. Amongst those influenced by the area have been
Olive Schreiner, Rudyard Kipling, Winston Churchill, Paul Kruger and Dr. Chris
Barnard.
It is also the birthplace of many of South Africa’s leading literary
figures such as Athol Fugard, Guy Butler, N.P. Van Wyk Louw, C.J. Langenhoven
and Nobel Prize winner J.M. Coetzee. Brief biographies of all these luminaries
as well as those of many other interesting and famous people are included.
There was serious conflict in the Karoo during the Anglo-Boer war and as
a result there are many British block-houses, forts, grave sites and memorials
from this tragic time to be seen.
Other than its significance as a concise history of one of the lesser-known
but captivating areas of South Africa,
The Historical Karoo is a very interesting, easy to read and elegant hardcover publication. It is a must for anyone visiting the Karoo or just interested in
the history of our diverse and fascinating country.
The Historical Karoo is published by
Zebra Press (Radom House Struik), and the ISBN number is 978 177022 568 8. Suggested
retail price is R250. - Keith Millar
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