Substantial work is visually appealing and cleverly designed.
(Review by Keith Millar)
Accomplished KwaZulu-Natal battlefields guide Nicki Von Der
Heyde spent over two years and travelled many thousands of kilometres doing
research for her book on South Africa’s battlefields.
The result is her marvellous Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa. It is a
substantial work covering 71 battles including the Anglo-Zulu War, Colonial and
Frontier Conflicts, Indigenous and Voortrekker Battles and the first and second
Anglo-Boer Wars.
The book is visually appealing and has been very cleverly
designed with an array of special features. The battlefields are grouped in
provincially-based regions. Each site is discussed in the same way using the
headings of How to get there, Context, Action, Aftermath and Principal
combatants.
There is an abundance of historical and modern photographs
and illustrations. This gives the book its very attractive and colourful
appearance. Also included are 60 interesting fact and feature boxes, 16
customized battle maps and 10 regional locator maps. The directions to each
site are detailed and include GPS co-ordinates.
There are 80 illustrated timelines included to put the
particular battles in context as far as local and international affairs were
concerned. This leads to my only moan – and it is a small one. The font size
used for the timelines is tiny. I needed bright light and to hold the book
close to my face to make any sense of the text. However, those blessed with
good eyesight may not experience this problem.
One may expect a field guide to be rather dry and factual.
Not so in this case. All the facts are there, but this book has real character.
It brings South Africa’s vibrant military history to life. I found it difficult
to put down once I started reading and found it very informative about a
subject which I previously had little knowledge.
Field Guide to the Battlefields
of South Africa. will be an important tool for both the expert and amateur
military historians. It also has a role to play for anyone who has a general
interest in this important aspect our history. Furthermore It could prove to be
invaluable to both local and international tourists.
I, for one, intend keeping my copy of the book in my car,
and adding a visit or two to South African battlefields to my bucket list.
Field Guide to the Battlefields
of South Africa. is published by Struik Travel & Heritage. The ISBN number
is 9781431701001 and the recommended retail price is R300. – Keith Millar
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