A penetrating overview of South Africa and its varied and complex history, this book is sure to appeal to visitors and anyone interested in the country's past and present. Illustrations.

David Mason was born in 1969. After graduating, he studied at the University of London, receiving an M.A. in Imperial and Commonwealth Studies. Since 1996 he has taught at both graduate and undergraduate level on a wide variety of subjects including the history of southern Africa from 1500 until the present day. He is also the author of Verdun. Born in Brighton, Mason now lives in London.