Book Reviews
Claim to the Country
Author Pippa Skotnes
Reading Pippa's unbelievable publication "Claim to the Country", gives a wonderful insight into the Khoi people and their heritage and ancestry. Now part of UNESCO’ s Memory of the World Register, this lavishly illustrated Claim to the Country: The Archive of Lucy Lloyd and Wilhelm Bleek has been created, compiled, and introduced by Pippa Skotnes, and presents - in book form and on an accompanying DVD - all the notebook pages and drawings that comprise this remarkable archive.
Contextualizing essays by well-known scholars, such as Nigel Penn, John Parkington, Eustacia Riley and Anthony Traill, and a searchable index for all the narratives and contributors are included. Through this remarkable collection, we can better understand what it means that the people who lived in southern Africa long before any new arrivals settled the country no longer survive through their language or culture of intellectual traditions, but only as text on a page . The Bleek-Lloyd archive is the San’s surviving claim to the country.
What is even more fascinating is that there are actual description register of prisoners who were housed in the Breakwater Convict Station from February 1867 – May 1875. (PBW/73)
This book is unmistakably one of my favourite books in my collection on South African social history. For anyone who has Khoi ancestry or is remotely interested in any of these topics - I recommend you purchase this publication now. Also included is a DVD with images of documents and genealogies of some Khoi people.
Click here to buy the book.
Product Details:
Publisher: Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd
ISBN: 9781770093379
Publication date: May 2007
Length: 285mm
Width: 230mm
Edition: New title
Pages: 392
Illustrations: Illustrations (chiefly col.), 1 col. map, ports. (some col.)
Ella Gordon
Author John
Ella Gordon & her “Trick Horses” at Karwyderskraal 1873 – 1958 is another compact book compiled by John and Margaret Annandale. This publication covers interviews of people that knew Ella personally – each person gives their account of how they knew her and her love of horses.
She was a respected and loved woman in Karwyderskraal whose Scots heritage and upbringing ensured her passion for music and literature. Over 90 black and white images as well as a list of her personal books, music books and sheets are included in this work. This self published book contains 121 pages and is 14 x 21 cm in size.
The book can be purchased from the author for R90.00 + postage + packaging Email John or Tel: 028 -3161918
Email:
Click here to email John
Hemel + Aarde Leper Colony
John Annandale’s compilation on the facts and rumours that surround the scourge of leprosy in the Hemel and Aarde region of the Western Cape brings to life the reality of what really happened. Articles and facts have been gathered from reputable resources to educate those who are misinformed about this dreaded disease of its day.
This fascinating book is not just for people researching information on Leprosy but also includes 8 pages of index with reference to numerous family names, people and places. This handy and compact self publication of 61 pages includes 50% of the book to include photographs, maps, drawings and extracts of original documents all in black and white.
The book can be purchased from the author for R90.00 + postage + packaging Email John or Tel: 028 -3161918
The Scots in South Africa: Ethnicity, Identity, Gender and Race, 1772-1914
Authors John MacKenzie with Nigel Dalziel
[click here to buy the book]
Authors John M. MacKenzie and Nigel R. Dalziel epitomises their version of the Rainbow Nation with the vast array of Scots men and women who made South Africa their home. Their bright and cheerful clan tartans are a clear and defined representation of one of the original colours of our Rainbow Nation.
This publication makes easy reading for both the professional as well as the novice historian. This complete extended study accentuates the relationships the Scots had with the people of Africa.
Fascinating facts from early Scots Brothels shortly after Van Riebeeck arrival is an unexpected find as well as the Scots virtually saving the Dutch Reformed Church from virtual collapse and at one time preaching in some of the DR churches and being accepted by the Dutch Reformed Pastors as much as their own.
Wonderful anecdotes abound on how people like the Moodie brothers were particularly fond of fond of the Khoi Women. The Scots wild parties and drinking bouts were apparently appreciated by the Khoi. Equally so, the Scots’ passion for music was admired, unlike that of the Dutch women, whom John Moodie described as clumsy and unmusical.
Chapters on professionals in the environment, medicine and business radicals provide a wonderful background into the lives of many prominent Scots including surveyors, engineers, builders, botanists and foresters as well.
By the late 18th and early 19th centuries Scottish Universities were over producing - thus the prospects of jobs was not easy and the climate on the Cape Frontier was an attractive alternative as the harsh living conditions in the Cape would be a good match for the Scots – and so they came.
The Scots in South Africa is long overdue publication – with the increasing and growing demand for information hobbies like Genealogy and Ancestry has increased tenfold and the need for more resource material has been inevitable. The magnificent references of material researched in this publication opens up a complete new bonus of resources and references that the local genealogist and family historian are probably unaware of.
Product details
Publisher: Wits University Press
ISBN: 9781868144440
Format: Softcover
Publication Date: 2007/8
Edition: 1st
Pages: 296
Whatever it takes
Author Huby Thorndike
Huby Thorndike, relative of Dame Sybil Thorndike, a non-golfing and teetotaller gives his memoirs to the surviving a world of cheques and balances.
"The title begs the question; "But has he been successful?" The obvious counter is; "How do you define and measure success?" Success is not measured by what you have, but by what you do with what you have. After nine career transfers around South Africa and to the United Kingdom, Huby Thorndike, now retired, reflects on his life's journey-personal development, family, business, sport, motivation and much more.
Before you can realise your dreams you have to first wake up. It is a life crammed with anecdotes, told with honesty and without pretension, offering sound advice to anyone seeking answers to life's ever-present challenges. Laced with humour and interesting facts, Huby paints a canvas of his life illustrating his values, ideas, hopes and aspirations for future generations."
Product Details:
Book Price: R110.00 plus postage & packaging
Softback: 240 x 170mm
Layout: 136 pages
1st Edition
42 B&W halftones
Published by UB Publications
Email: Huby
The History behind Caversham Natal
Author Jacqueline Yallup
The beautiful countryside of Caversham would not have endured this long without the help of the descendants of James Jeffries Hodson who arrived with the Lidgett Settlers to Natal from Reading in England in 1850 with his brother Richard. The author’s inclusion of extracts from James Hodson Diary as well as accounts of his military involvement adds colour and a personal touch to this wonderful story of this family. Further extracts of Bernard Hodson’s diaries have also been included during the siege of Ladysmith. Sketches and images of the mill are wonderful addition to the book as well as the inclusion of the Caversham church chapel fund as well as a list of graves in this quaint and secluded cemetery.
The author Jacqueline Yallop is a descendant of prominent early Natal Settlers such as the Otto, Hodson, Norton, Holliday, Copley and Smyth families.
Don’t forget to add this little gem to your book collection.
Product Details:
Book Price: R130.00 plus postage & packaging.
Layout: 136 pages in A5 format
Email: Jacqueline
The Pig and Whistle
Author: Marion Moore
A history of a settler hotel in words and pictures This wonderful little booklet gives an in-depth history into the oldest licensed pub in South Africa and the people who owned and lived on the property. Marion Moore, the author, was so fascinated by the history of this building that she decided to bring back to life the story of the Pig & Whistle to share with those people whose ancestors lived in this building. The notorious Thomas Hartley was the first owner and his legacy and the subsequent owners of this land live on. With colour & black and whites images as well as a few maps and copies of documents this booklet will provide anyone with an interest in Bathurst and its residence full of surprises.
Product Details:
Book Price R50.00 plus R5.50 postage & packing in S.A.
Layout: 50 pages in A5 format
Email Marion here
Old Towns and Villages of the Cape
Author: Hans Fransen
Covering almost one hundred towns, villages and hamlets, Old Towns and Villages of the Cape not only examines the role of surveyors, and other factors, in their initial layout and subsequent growth, but also describes the formation of new Drostdy districts, new Dutch Reformed church congregations, boeredorpe, harbour settlements and mission towns. The well known author, Hans Fransen, applies his extensive knowledge and insight to present the information, research and insights, most of it previously unpublished, in a very readable and accessible style. With its rich pictorial component, this invaluable reference book is a great buy for any family historian or genealogist, it is as attractive as it is informative and fits as well on a coffee-table as it would in a collector’s library
click here to buy the book
Product details:
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
ISBN: 9781868422272
The Fox and the Flies: The World of Joseph Silver, Racketeer and Psychopath
Author: Charles van Onslen
The nineteenth-century was the age of industry, witnessing extraordinary advances in manufacturing, trade and communications. Exploiting the new infrastructure of railways, steamships and telegraph systems, European pimps and 'white slave' traffickers were hugely successful in establishing an integrated global market for commercial sex. In the newly developed industrialized economy, criminal syndicates in capital cities such as Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, New York, London and Rio de Janeiro - were able to commission the seduction or rape of women by agents in under-developed parts of Europe and 'export' them as prostitutes to meet the insatiable demand for sexual services throughout the Atlantic world. For three turbulent decades before the First World War, Joseph Silver - brothel-owner, pimp and trafficker in women on four continents - was central to this hidden world of betrayal, intrigue, lust and sexual slavery. Burglar, gun-runner, jewel-thief, rapist, safe-cracker and sodomist, Silver's notoriety was captured in the most confidential correspondence of a dozen countries in the western world.
What those in charge of law-enforcement agencies kept to themselves, however, was how their officers had attempted to use Silver as an informer to infiltrate syndicates built on 'vice' only to have him outwit them as he moved in the dangerous space between police and prostitutes. A disturbed adolescent, youthful predator and adult misogynist driven by dark biblical and medieval obsessions, Silver's mental universe remained largely hidden from his family, other gangsters, and police handlers.
Joseph was well known in brothels in the Centre of Cape Town as well as District Six and had a large group of associates with whom he did business dealings with. He also spent time in the Southern suburbs dodging the police as well as time inside Pollsmoor prison.
In this first reconstruction of the life of a dangerous psychopath, Charles van Onselen situates the private life of one man amidst the demi-monde of the Atlantic world to identify the most infamous serial killer of all time - for Joseph Silver's darkest secret of all lay in London, in Whitechapel, in the autumn of 1888. Were your ancestors part of the syndicate? Buy the book now to find out - click
- click here to buy the book
Publisher: Jonathan Ball
ISBN: 9780224079297
Format: Hardcover
Publication Date: 2007/4
Size: 241 x 161 x 40, 970g
Pages: 588
Die Familie Streicher. Volledige stamregister en personalia
Author: Matthys Streicher
Die Familie Streicher. Volledige stamregister en personalia was written and published by Matthys Streicher in 1991.
This comprehensive Family Register spans two hundred years of Streichers from 1797 until 1990. Matthys's research has covered 95% of the Streicher descendants in South Africa.
With 850 black & white images, sample documents and maps, it enhances this individually published family history which very few people can boast about - this includes a photograph of almost every Streicher mentioned in the book.
Typeset in 12 point courier font, this hard cover 846 page book makes easy and compelling reading on this amazing South African Family.
Book price R200.00
Contact the Author at P.O. Box 46, Albertinia 6795
Email: mathys001@telkomsa.net
The Bishops Churches - The Churches of Anglican Bishop Robert Gray
Author: Desmond Martin
Having such a passionate interest in Genealogy and church records, I was delighted and overwhelmed when my husband bought “The Bishop’s Churches” for my birthday. I found that Desmond’s vibrant and delicate brush strokes have brought a true sense to the meaning of tranquillity and belief to the living monuments of Bishop Grey and his wife Sophy.
This beautifully illustrated collection of water colours and line-art drawings of Anglican Churches gives not only a history of each church portrayed, but also reflects the outstanding Victorian Gothic Architecture as well as distinctive Norman ornamentation.
Desmond’s representation of these houses of divinity pays tribute to the craftsmanship of the skilled tradesmen at the time who have enriched the architectural heritage of South Africa.
This beautifully illustrated book brings to life the legacy which Bishop Robert Grey and Sophy have left behind. This publication is a definite must for any family historian who has ties with the Anglican Church.
Contact Desmond Martin:
Tel: 027-21-531-8811
Email: dkmartin@netactive.co.za
Die familie Zulch in Suid-Afrika
'n geslagsregister en die verhaal van die nageslag van Johann Wilhelm Zülch (1740 - 1805) van Baumbach in Hesse, Duitsland
This 139-page soft cover book covers the history of the Zulch family in South Africa, including the genealogies of the first five generations. It is written in Afrikaans and contains copies of family photographs (in black & white), archival documents and maps. Chapter one covers the origins in Germany, set against the happenings of those times. Chapter two starts with the arrival of the progenitor (stamvader) at the Cape in October 1764. He married Johanna Christina Vogel, daughter of a German immigrant, in 1780. Their descendants later lived in Tulbagh, Ceres and the Transvaal. The genealogies at the end of the book, in de Villiers / Pama format, include descendants in Australia in the 1990s. A number of individuals are dealt with in-depth. Sources are listed in the footnotes of relevant pages. Unfortunately there is no index in the book. Copies of family photos are included, in black & white. Including photos in a self-published family history book can be tricky, as in many cases the quality is lost in the copy process. With today’s software and printing standards, this can be solved - especially when the correct paper is used. Overall, this is a valuable book for any Zulch family member. The author has been interested in his family history since childhood. This later led to research at the National Archives in Cape Town and Pretoria, followed by visits to Germany.
Book orders can be placed with Bernhard Louw, at PO Box 6480, Welgemoed, 7538, South Africa.
Email: belou@mweb.co.za
Author: Bernhard Louw - Self-published in Apr 1996 (1st ed.), Nov 2000 (3rd ed.), Groot Brakrivier
ISBN 0-620-20108-6
Diaspora to Diorama - The old Slave Lodge in Cape Town
Robert Shell has once again published another historical chapter of the History of the Slave Lodge. This larger than life man has turned out a marathon project with as much vigor, intent and colour as his previous publication "Children of Bondage".
Shell's research and passion for slavery has created a vast amount of information on the lives and people who lived within the boundaries of this brothel, lunatic house and slave lodge. The overcrowding, selling and mortality of these souls are magnified to such an extent that we cannot forget the hardships and the cruelty endured by these people under the British and Dutch rule. The book encompasses over 900 pages of text, images and maps sourced from the finest possessions in South Africa.
Also included is the register of the slave lodge census of 1714, the death register of lodge slaves spanning 60 years of 3500 slaves. This wonderful book serves as a fantastic reference for any University, School or Individual who has an interest in the early history of the Cape.
This book is available in CD Format and can be purchased [here]
Review written by: Heather MacAlister
Die Vosloos - Nuttige Landsburgers
Die Vosloos - Nuttige Landsburgers is geïnspireer en inisieer deur Ton Vosloo (Uitvoerende Voorsitter van Naspers, Suid-Afrika) en nagevors deur Daniel Jacobs.
Ek het nog altyd ‘n groot belangstelling gehad vir die wyse waarop familiegeskiedenis voorgestel en gepubliseer word, aangesien my eie familiegeskiedenis-publikasie vir talle jare al op my boekrak sit en wag vir die regte formaat wat my oog sal vang en wat sê “dit is hoe dit behoort te lyk”.
Wel, uiteindelik het ek daardie einste tipe boek gevind – Die Vosloos boek word in twee volumes gepubliseer, pragtig uitgelê en voorgestel wat onder meer foto's, staaltjies, kaarte, koerantuitknipsels, kopieë van oorspronklike dokumente en briewe insluit, wat oor 8 generasies strek vanaf 1724 tot 1992.
Volume een sluit 261 bladsye en 37 hoofstukke in van die geskiedenis van die Familie, wat bewys dat hierdie familie een van die mees kleurvolste, historiese en gevarieërde familiegeskiedenisse het waarop ek in ‘n lang tyd afgekom het. Onderwerpe sluit in: Die Vosloos se Duitse verlede, die stamvader, die stamvader se kinders, die Groot Trek, die 2e Anglo-Boere oorlog, die griepepidemie van 1918, familiewapens, politiek, joernalistiek, sport ens.
Photograph: Lodewyk Johannes born 16 March 1901 in Somerset East photographed with “house helper” son of Johan Christiaan Volsoo and Hester Johanna Van der Merwe
Volume twee word heeltemal opgedra aan die Familie Register wat meer as 3,000 individuele Vosloos insluit, asook meer as 2,000 familielede deur die huwelik plus 'n indeks van elke familielid. Seshonderd foto's en inligtingsboksies is ook 'n ekstra bonus.
Indien jy op enige manier verwant is aan die Vosloo-familie, kan jy trots wees om vir Ton Vosloo, Hollywood akteur Arnold Vosloo, atleet Elana Meyer, hartchirurg Susan Vosloo of Springbok Rugby spelers Hannes Marais en Hennie Muller as deel van jou stamboom te hê.
Die Vosloos is ‘n baie goeie gedokumenteerde en nagevorsde publikasie met beide Ton Vosloo en Daniel Jacobs wat die hoogste akkolades verdien vir die ontsaglike aantal werk en toewyding wat vir hierdie boek ingesit is.
Ek het my kopie - het jy al joune?
Die Vosloo Book kan gekoop word deur Mariana Van Wyk by mvanwyk@media24.com vir R437 (posgeld ingesluit) vir die hardeband en R337 (posgeld ingesluit) vir die sagteband.
Source: Ton Vosloo
Images: Taken from Die Vosloos Book
Die Brink-familie van Suid-Afrika - 'n Geslagregister van 1737 tot die hede
Johan Brink spent many years researching his family history and this book is the end result. The 328-page book is well-bound and is divided into 12 chapters. It covers the main Brink stamvader Andries (circa 1718 - 1789), and includes the lesser stamvaders, Carl Friedrich (one page only) and Hendrik Johannes (circa 1837 - 1916). The author estimated that there are approximately 11 000 descendants of Andries Brink.
The book is set out in the de Villiers / Pama format. Where the author has used his own genealogical symbols and abbreviations, these are explained in the guidelines for using the book. To differentiate between the different generations, text indentation was used. The author has mostly stuck to genealogical facts only (names, dates and places), although there are some entries were a few notes are included about the person.
There is an index of those related by marriage, useful if the maiden name is known. This index is on page 288 and not on page 228 as reflected in the contents. An index of farm names is also included. There is no index for the book as a whole. Sources are not listed with the individual event, but are included in a general bibliography and source list in the last chapter. It is noted that the author has fill sources available on his own computer and that readers are welcome to contact him.
As in most genealogical publications, this is not a complete work on the Brink family in South Africa. It is a good starting point and can serve as the basis for further research. Overall, the die-hard genealogist and Brink descendant would find this a useful book.
The book is available directly from the author – Johan Brink johanbrink@hermanus.co.za PO Box 1370, Hermanus, 7200. Tel / Fax: (028) 316 3237.
Gallantry Awards of the South African Police Force: 1913 – 1994
Including a complete Roll of Honour
Terence King’s medallious detective work has encompassed 81 years of constabulary awards in South Africa, covering all aspects and angles of the Police Force. Assisted by Audrey Portman, this life’s labour has been formed into one impressive fact-finding publication: Gallantry Awards of the South African Police Force, 1913–1994.
I was lucky enough to find my great-uncle Alexander Woodland listed as one of General Botha’s bodyguards from 1914–1915. This in itself was a remarkable finding, as this particular part of his police career was not even mentioned in his discharge papers.
King’s book covers not only the history of policing in South Africa, but also includes over 1 500 receivers of medals for World War I and II, police casualties who were victims of the Spanish influenza, South Africa’s Black Homelands Police Medals as well as 2 900 previously unpublished casualties from both the First and Second World Wars as well as the so-called bush war in Rhodesia and South West Africa.
Photographs of some of the award recipients are revealed, as well as citations of the ensuing moments of bravery for many of the award recipients. Additionally, the publication includes black policemen who served in the force and have never been publicly recognized for their bravery and courage … until now.
This book can be purchased directly from Audrey Portman. The price of the book is R250 (excluding insurance, postage and packaging).
E-mail: rhino.research@icon.co.za
Tel: +27 11 609-2616, Fax: +27 11 452-1466
Postal address: Rhino Research, PO Box 6415, Homestead, 1412, South Africa
For more information on this book or Research facilities you can go to the web site: http://www.icon.co.za/~bevp/
Drie Honderd Jaar later - Die Nageslag van David Du Buisson in Suid-Afrika
Alta Roux se sukses met die publisering van haar eie boek, is iets wat elke genealoog en familie-geskiedkundige van droom, maar wat nooit eintlik 'n werklikheid sal word nie. Alta is in 1998 deur die genealogie-gogga gebyt en van dag een af al geweet dat sy hierdie doel wil bereik. Hierdie enorme projek, wat ag jare geneem het, is saamgestel met die gemak en eenvoud wat die Du Buisson-familiegeskiedenis maklik leesbaar en verskriklik interessant maak. Daar is geen frilletjies en valletjies nie, maar eerder direkte en akkurate inligting oor hierdie Franse Hugenote-familie wat duisende lewende afstammelinge vandag het. Die Drie Honderd Jaar later boek van die Du Buisson se kronieke oor 9 generasies van afstammelinge en 1900 individuele mense. Dit is ook interessant om die reeks van Nederlandse, Engelse en Skotse vanne wat in hierdie familie ingevleg is te vind. 'n Wonderlike versameling van foto's wat in die boek ook verskyn, dra iets persoonliks by tot die Du Buisson se familiegeskiedenis.
Bestellings:
Alta Roux, Posbus 1268, Kinross, 2270.
Sel: 082 844 5195.
Prys: R150 plus R35 P & P (Totaal: R185).
Die Voortrekkerbegraafplaas: Pietermaritzburg
Author: Louis J. Eksteen
This book, published in Afrikaans, is a guide to a particular section of the old cemetery in Pietermaritzburg. The south western part of the old cemetery, situated on either side of Commercial Road, is known as the Voortrekker Cemetery and is part of the greater Commercial Road Cemetery. This part is the city's oldest cemetery.
The indexed book covers about 75 graves and contains photographs of gravestones, people and buildings, with biographical and historical information. A map of the cemetery is included. The soft cover book has 80 pages on gloss paper. It is well laid out and makes a fascinating journey of discovery.
Although most of the graves are of Voortrekkers and their descendants, there are some people in the book who were not Voortrekkers but made a contribution to Afrikaans cultural life. They include Germans, Scots, Englishmen and Jews. The oldest grave is believed to be that of Hendrik VAN DEN BERG who died in September 1839. Some of the cemetery's famous residents include Louis Gustavus TREGARDT (son of Louis TREGARDT, Voortrekker leader) and Charles KESTELL (born in Wales and father of John Daniel KESTELL who translated the Bible into Afrikaans).
Louis Eksteen is the curator at Fort Amiel Museum in Newcastle, and chairman of the Natal Voortrekker Graves and Monuments Committee. The research for this book was done from 1996 to 2003 when he was a researcher at the Voortrekker Museum in Pietermaritzburg.
Publisher: Natalse Voortrekkergrafte en -Monumentekomitee, Pietermaritzburg, 2004
ISBN 0-620-31680-2
Order from: L.J. Eksteen, P.O. Box 15600, Arbor Park, Newcastle, 2954
E-mail: louis@fastdial.co.za
Francois Renier Duminy: 1747-1811
Author: Andrew Duminy
The intrigue and mystery surrounding the Duminy ancestors' connection with the well-to-do Lebre family of Tarascon in France reminds me of my own family's long line of Master Mariners.
The history of the Duminy family is a plethora of information - Andrew Duminy has meticulously researched the family history and descendants of Francois Renier Duminy and has rewarded all living relatives with a magnificent piece of history that every one of them will treasure forever.
Duminy's prolific naval career, crowned with the Chevalier Grand Cross of the Order of St. Philippe as well as the Sovereign Prince Rose Croix, was an extraordinary achievement by a man who started off with the French East India Company and eventually brought him to the Cape. His involvement with the Freemasons and his long association the Lodge De Goede Hoop ensured his position as Grandmaster in 1795 and by undisputed vote again in 1797.
Duminy's social life led him and his wife to entertain and mix in only the best circles, which included maintaining their Cape Town residence, Le Jardin, as well as the farm Compagniesdam at Bloubergstrand. His naval career expanded when he was offered the position of Port Captain in Simonstown from 1803, but in 1806 the 2nd British Occupation abruptly concluded his employment.
The slave trade, education, land ownership and social life of this decorated Cape Town family are just some of the elements woven together in a rich tapestry reflecting their exciting life and times. A wonderful account of family history has been brought to life down to the exquisite relics of clothing, paintings, maps, documents and other artefacts that still exist in superb condition in local archives and museums.
With over 200 surnames associated with the Duminy family, you too could be related! Published by Protea Book House.
ISBN: 1-86919-060- 2
Contact the Author: duminya@iafrica.com
Admiralty House Simon's Town
Author: Boet Dommisse
I have been to Simon's Town many times in my life and my childhood association with the Royal Navy has been vividly recalled when I was recently introduced to Boet Dommisse's Admiralty House Simon's Town : In the 1960's I lived next door to a house owned by the Royal Navy in Plumstead that was occupied by my godmother and godfather, who was the Admiral's chauffeur.
Boet Dommisse has truly brought to life this wonderful, nostalgic period, not only in my own life, but also for those who spent many years - specially during war times - working and living in close proximity with and in the home of the Admiral. The author, the retired Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Cape Town, co-authored Simon's Town - An Illustrated Historical Perspective after relocating to the area in 1996 and was subsequently approached by the SA Navy to undertake the Admiralty House project.
|
Rear Admiral Warren
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This richly illustrated book maps the life of a home and property originally built by Dutch soldier Antoni Visser, each chapter magnifying the history of the place and the people who have lived there. As the Introductory Overview aptly states, Admiralty House Simon's Town "provide(s) us with a fascinating chronology of events in the development of South Africa from a simple victualling station to a vibrant democratic nation".
The occupants of the home have been well documented and add a new dimension of naval history to South Africa's proud heritage. The fine collection of furniture, objects d'art and paintings and the splendour of the gardens are represented through a magnificent collection of photographs complemented by rich, detailed descriptions.
Admiralty House Simon's Town is a publication that no library, school or naval historian should be without - - Heather MacAlister
Basic price: R250 per copy (available direct from publisher, packing plus local postage is R20 = R270)
Cheques payable to J Dommisse.
Electronic to Standard Bank, Merriman Square, Cape Town.
Branch Code 021-109
Account J Dommisse 07 063 501 3
Enquiries: J Dommisse, 11 Dolphin Way, Simon's Town, 7975.
Tel/Fax (021) 786 1147
dolphin.eleven@iafrica.com
Acknowledgement for Images: Library of Parliament & Boet Dommisse
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