This text examines the forces - both destructive and dynamic - which have shaped 20th-century South Africa. The book draws on the rich and lively tradition of radical history writing on the country and weaves economic and cultural history into the political narrative.
Apartheid and industrialization, especially mining, are central themes, along with the rise of nationalism in the Afrikaner and African communities. But the author also emphasizes the neglected significance of rural experiences and local identities in shaping political consciousness. The roles played by such key figure as Smuts, Verwoerd, de Klerk, Plaatje, and Mandela are explored, while historiographical trends are reflected in analyses of rural protest, white cultural politics, the vitality of black urban life, and environmental decay.
The book assesses the analysis of black reactions to apartheid and the rise of the ANC.
