Apartheid a History

This work is exactly what its title says: a history of the development of the peculiar brand of race relations practiced in South Africa. Written by a journalist in a quite readable manner, it complements nicely another recent book, Graham Leach's South Africa: no easy path to peace ( LJ 7/86), in that it is more concerned with historical analysis than current events. In fact, read by itself, the book leaves the reader feeling somewhat let down by the conclusion, which offers no suggestions of what should or may be done to alleviate the South African crisis. Still, the historical analysis, intended for the general public and serving as a companion to a British television series, is well done, providing the important economic, social, as well as political factors which all shaped apartheid. Recommended for general collections as a short introduction to the topic. Paul H. Thomas, Hoover Inst. Lib., Stanford, Cal.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.