The Boer War: Historiography and Annotated Bibliography (Bibliographies of Battles and Leaders)

One hundred years after the Boer War, the British continue to debate what went wrong, while the war has significant nationalist overtones in today's South Africa. This book examines changes in interpretations of the war and provides a bibliography of major sources on the Boer War, now sometimes called the South African War. The bibliography focuses on the military history, but also includes some historical accounts of the political debate. The first part of the book provides an extended historiographical essay, while part two provides an annotated bibliography of the titles discussed in part one. Historiographical questions concerning the Boer War are numerous. Discussions of military operations focus on the early use of modern weaponry and the effect of guerrilla tactics on a traditional force, while other historians debate the question of British military leadership and organization. Questions also revolve around British imperialism and the scramble for Africa. Frequently called the second war for freedom by South African authors, the war was the reason that South Africa, unlike other British colonies, gained independence without majority rule. This makes the war of continuing relevance to the turmoil in South Africa, the collapse of the minority government, and the continuing problems of the current government. This book will provide a useful tool for those wishing to research the war. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Historigraphy......Page 10 1. Introduction and Historical Background......Page 12 2. Bibliographical Aids, Surveys, Memoirs, and Archival Sources......Page 22 3. The Conventional Military Campaigns......Page 28 4. "The Last of the Gentlemen's Wars"......Page 43 5. Conclusion......Page 51 Annotated Bibliography......Page 54 A......Page 232 B......Page 234 C......Page 238 D......Page 240 E......Page 241 F......Page 242 G......Page 243 H......Page 245 I......Page 247 K......Page 248 L......Page 250 M......Page 251 O......Page 254 P......Page 256 R......Page 257 S......Page 259 T......Page 263 V......Page 265 W......Page 266 Z......Page 268 How, in a now largely forgotten conflict, could a relatively few farmers (almost entirely amateur soldiers) shape their own nation and embarrass the enormous British Empire by holding on through such a long and bloody struggle? The history of the remarkable and tragic war in South Africa is traced here by a leading expert-from its origins in national ambition, through the sieges of Ladysmith, Kimberly and Mafeking to the horrors of the British concentration camps and the eventual peace. A turning point of the Boers, and for the British, the war has left a legacy of tension and mistrust that can still be felt today. Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 Historigraphy 10 1. Introduction and Historical Background 12 2. Bibliographical Aids, Surveys, Memoirs, and Archival Sources 22 3. The Conventional Military Campaigns 28 4. "The Last of the Gentlemen's Wars" 43 5. Conclusion 51 Annotated Bibliography 54 Index 232 A 232 B 234 C 238 D 240 E 241 F 242 G 243 H 245 I 247 J 248 K 248 L 250 M 251 N 254 O 254 P 256 Q 257 R 257 S 259 T 263 U 265 V 265 W 266 Y 268 Z 268 The history of the Boer War is traced here, from its origins in national ambition, through the sieges of Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking to the horrors of the British concentration camps and the eventual peace This thorough introduction examines the origins, key events and figures and the long-term outcomes of the Boer War (1899-1902), fought between the British and the Boers for mastery of South Africa. Provides a guide to the historiography of a war that is still debated in Great Britain and has significant nationalist overtones in South Africa. Fred R. Van Hartesveldt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 110-114) And Index.