Book reviews

I work in a bookstore, yet I don't think that I have ever written about books on this blog. That's a pretty sad waste of resources - like most of what I (and the west) do. But never fear, as I am changing this from a pretty sad waste of resources to just sad...

I present to you: X'S BOOK REVIEWS. (cue cheesy music...)

First up is this one:

"A people on the Boil"
"Reflections on June 16 1976 and beyond"
"30^th Anniversary edition"
- Harry Mashabela
ISBN 1-77009-208-0

To quote their blurb:

A People on the Boil is a classic of South African resistance literature, and a key text of reportage. It is a newspaper reporter's reflections on the 1976 uprising in Soweto as it unfolded, and provides a context and background for the events of that momentous year. Harry Mashabela, in his update, published together here with the original text to coincide with the 30^th anniversary of the uprising, looks at the ongoing struggle for better education in South Africa. This is one of the great human stories of the twentieth century. It is the tale of a people trapped by a wicked system and their fight for freedom.

All of the above is pretty much true. For me it was a very interesting book to read, because I know very little of apartheid, being born in Holland and all...

It really points out the major forces behind the uprising, and clearly provides much background information relevant to an understanding of events as they unfolded.

It really gave me a clear picture of the start of the struggle, and also of the reality of apartheid.