The last Afrikaner leaders by Hermann Giliomee

The last Afrikaner leaders by Hermann Giliomee

Finalist for the Alan Paton Award

In his latest book, renowned historian Hermann Giliomee challenges the conventional wisdom on the downfall of white rule and the end of apartheid. Instead of impersonal forces, or the resourcefulness of an indomitable resistance movement, he emphasizes the role of Nationalist leaders and of their outspoken critic Frederick van Zyl Slabbert. What motivated each of the last Afrikaner leaders, from Verwoerd to de Klerk? How did each try to reconcile economic growth, white privilege, and security with the demands of an increasingly assertive black leadership and unexpected population figures?

In exploring each leader's background, reasoning, and personal foibles, Giliomee takes issue with the assumption that South Africa was inexorably heading for an ANC victory in 1994. He argues that historical accidents radically affected the course of politics.

Drawing on primary sources and personal interviews, Giliomee offers a fresh and stimulating political history that attempts not to condemn but to understand why the last Afrikaner leaders did what they did, and why their own policies ultimately failed them.

A 2014 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title

Reconsiderations in Southern African History

Finalist for the Alan Paton Award

In his latest book, renowned historian Hermann Giliomee challenges the conventional wisdom on the downfall of white rule and the end of apartheid. Instead of impersonal forces, or the resourcefulness of an indomitable resistance movement, he emphasizes the role of Nationalist leaders and of their outspoken critic Frederick van Zyl Slabbert. What motivated each of the last Afrikaner leaders, from Verwoerd to de Klerk? How did each try to reconcile economic growth, white privilege, and security with the demands of an increasingly assertive black leadership and unexpected population figures?

In exploring each leader's background, reasoning, and personal foibles, Giliomee takes issue with the assumption that South Africa was inexorably heading for an ANC victory in 1994. He argues that historical accidents radically affected the course of politics.

Drawing on primary sources and personal interviews, Giliomee offers a fresh and stimulating political history that attempts not to condemn but to understand why the last Afrikaner leaders did what they did, and why their own policies ultimately failed them.

A 2014 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title

Reconsiderations in Southern African History

Prof. Hermann Giliomee was Professor in Politieke Studie aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad en is tans Buitengewone Professor in Geskiedenis aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Hy het reeds 15 boeke die lig laat sien, waaronder Nuwe geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika met Bernard Mbenga en Die laaste Afrikanerleiers. Hy skryf gereeld vir By en ander nasionale media en het vir baie jare 'n rubriek in die Cape Times behartig. Hy woon in Stellenbosch en tree gereeld in die openbaar op.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780624049715
ISBN 10	062404971X
Title	The last Afrikaner leaders
Author	Hermann Giliomee
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Tafelberg Publishers Ltd
Year published	2012-10-16
Number of pages	448
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable