Dinosaurs, diamonds and democracy : a short, short history of South Africa / Francis Wilson.

Author
Wilson, Francis, 1939- [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Εdition
1st ed.
Published/​Created
Roggebaai, South Africa : Umuzi, 2009.
Description
128 p. : ill. (some col.), col. maps, ports. (some col.), 2009.

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Firestone Library - Stacks DT1787 .W55 2009 Browse related items Request
    Stokes Library - Wallace Hall (SPIA) DT1787 .W55 2009 Browse related items Request

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      Summary note
      "An asteroid the size of Table Mountain crashed into what was to become South Africa over 2 billion years ago, marking the spot. The country’s history since then has always been robust and full of energy. Francis Wilson's Dinosaurs, Diamonds & Democracy takes you in record time from that moment, when the earth’s richest gold reefs were shaped, to the advent of democracy in 1994, another event that stunned the world. Along the way you will encounter some of the most ancient dinosaurs on record, the very first people on the planet, and the first cultures. You will see outsiders moving in to reshape history: hunters and gatherers, cultivators and herders, iron-workers from the north, and immigrants from Europe and Asia. They fought and made peace; they stumbled upon gold and diamonds; they rose to the heights of excellence and sunk to the depths of oppression, until on one day they all queued as equals to elect a government. That is the story marked by dinosaurs, diamonds and democracy."--Publisher description.
      Notes
      Includes index.
      Contents
      • Once upon a time ...
      • The great breakthrough
      • Gatherers, fishers and hunters
      • Age of Iron: c.200-c.1500
      • Europe returns to Sub-Saharan Africa: 1488-1806
      • Ambiguous empire: 1806-1879
      • Black, white and gold
      • South Africa's industrial revolution: 1867-1947
      • Apartheid: 1948-1986
      • A South African miracle? 1986-1996
      • Epilogue: South Africa today.
      ISBN
      • 9781415200865 ((paperback))
      • 1415200866 ((paperback))
      LCCN
      2010453501
      OCLC
      462003703
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