The first half deserves five stars. Crampton uses oral and written history and anthropology to tell the life story of a European girl who was shipwrecked on the "Wild Coast" of southeast South Africa around 1740. She was adopted by a local people, married their prince, and left many descendants. Her story, and the story of shipwrecks, castaways, and native peoples in the area, are fascinating reading. The second half of the book tells about her people's (including her descendants) wars with the British in the 19th century. Too much information overwhelms the intended focus on the descendants, and it is difficult to keep the many different, unfamiliar names straight. ( )

Get swept away by the mysterious adventures of early settlers in the Fairest Cape. I learnt so much, but more importantly enjoyed every twist and revelation. Fascinating! ( )