Bill Nasson

Smuts and others saw the War as an opportunity to knit together a common English and Afrikaner patriotism and to unite the white races of South Africa. Louis Botha as the hero of John Buchan's other book, "The 39 Stoeps". Interesting use of school magazines as sources for quotes. Oral history used in an interview with the last Delville Wood survivor Joe Samuels. The book combines an adequately detailed account of campaigns in Africa with a gripping telling of the battle of Delville Wood and reflections on racism, imperialism and the meanings attached to war memorials. More South African soldiers were killed in action or died on active service in WWI than in WWII. But war deaths are insignificant, Nasson shows, when compared to South Africa's bleak ,'normal' murder rate.… (mer)

This is the first book I have come across dealing with the general role played by South Afica in the First World War. The author, Bill Nasson, approaches the subject more from the point of how South Africa involved itself with the war, the politics behind their entry and participation, and how segregation of the native population was handled in the war effort. Given the recent loss by South Africa in the Boer War, feelings for and against Great Britain were still running high. The treatment of the native population was what you would expect in a segrgated society ; poor, with little recognition for the native African's efforts, nor was any empowerment given to them to improve their status in the society. Mr. Nasson also covers how complicated the post-war rememberance and memorials became given the pro and anti British feelings, as wll as the concern for potential "disruptions" to society because of the expectations generated in the recruiting efforts to involve native Africans in the war.

An interesting book. At times I had some difficulty undertanding his references to South African history, society, and the political split in the country due to the loss in the Boer War. I do not have any historic background on the development of South Africa. The evolving relationship with Great Britain after the Boer War, during the Great War, and after the Great War was a bit confusing without the background. However, that aside, I think this is a worthwhile read for those interested in the contribution by South Africa in the Great War, as well as the effect on South Africa after the Great War.… (mer)