A History of South Africa

This exploration of South Africa's eventful history, from the earliest known human settlement of the region to the present day, focuses primarily on the experiences of the black inhabitants rather than on those of the white minority. It is aimed at anyone wishing to understand the historical patterns that set in motion the conflicts that rage in this troubled land. Thompson draws on the findings of both radical and liberal scholarship of the 1970s and 1980s and strikes a balance in his interpretation of the strengths, vulnerabilities, intentions, and perspectives of contending interests - race, class, culture, and gender - that have vied over the years for a place in South Africa.