"Clifton Crais and Thomas V. McClendon have put together a fascinating and informative book. From the earliest voices of colonial times through the struggle against apartheid and current efforts to find a genuinely democratic, nonracial, diverse identity, the voices are here: the colonizers and the despoilers, the powerful and the powerless, the dissenters and the resisters, the determined and the courageous, the destroyers of hope and the dreamers of dreams. South Africans cannot but recognize themselves. This is a book to study, reference, and return to again and again." - Allan Aubrey Boesak, South African liberation theologian and anti-apartheid activist
"This incredibly thorough volume reveals the complex history of South Africa. Through compelling first-person narratives, fiction, and other historical accounts, The South Africa Reader offers a picture of a complicated and often confounding country that is a study in 'trauma and resilience.' It grapples with the legacy of the past in ways that can help present and future generations build a more promising tomorrow." - Charlayne Hunter-Gault, award-winning journalist, former CNN Johannesburg Bureau Chief, and author of New News Out of Africa: Uncovering Africa’s Renaissance
"An excellent collection of primary and secondary accounts. . . . Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." - J. O. Gump, Choice
If there’s one book that succeeds in drawing the many strands of South Africa’s rich political history together into a single volume, this is it. . . . The South Africa Reader makes for gripping reading and a comprehensive treatment of the country’s exciting past and tumultuous present – a must for any eager student of South Africa.” - Jason Hickel, LSE Review of Books
“Crais and McClendon masterfully provide a comprehensive understanding of the history, culture and politics of South Africa. Many of the selected texts and accounts were written by prominent persons who had a lasting impact in South Africa. However, what makes this book a real gem is the inclusion of less-known authors and the many cross-references. Hidden within the numerous personal accounts, the reader will find references to the larger historical context and transnational connections beyond the thematic focus of a particular text. This makes it a must- read for students interested in South Africa and a useful sourcebook for scholars working onSouth Africa.” - Sarah Hanisch, African Studies Quarterly
“The South Africa Reader is a remarkably rich collection of primary and secondary material that will make an excellent textbook for courses in South African studies classes and an immensely handy and valuable reference work for teachers of South African literature." - Simon Lewis, Research in African Literatures
“This important book ... brings together primary sources covering a wide range of South African history and culture. Instructors and students will find much to consider. They will also discover why South Africa and South Africans represent such a fascinating microcosm of our world.” - Kenneth Wilburn, Journal of African History
"In a nutshell, there are many good things in this book which force the reader to commend and applaud the two editors who organised it, as well as the various authors who contributed chapters.... I unreservedly recommend this book to historians, political scientists, politicians, cultural experts, and policymakers, as well as legal and sports practitioners. Each of these professions would find something valuable from this manuscript." - Bheki R. Mngomezulu, South African Historical Journal
"Essential reading for university students wishing to become familiar with South Africa. The collection provides the groundwork necessary for both preliminary and advanced study. It offers a comprehensive and insightful picture of South African history, culture, and politics at an affordable price." - Yoly Zentella, Journal of Global South Studies
“A sound overview of major issues in South Africa, both past and present, as seen from many different perspectives.” - Raymond Suttner, African Historical Review
