Download or read book The Great Karoo written by Fred Stenson and published by Anchor Canada. This book was released on 2009-09-08 with total page 610 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From award-winning author Fred Stenson comes a richly evocative new novel, at once brutal and tender, spare of language, and profoundly moving. The Great Karoo begins in 1899, as the British are trying to wrest control of the riches of South Africa from the Boers, the Dutch farmers who claimed the land. The Boers have turned out to be more resilient than expected, so the British have sent a call to arms to their colonies — and an a great number of men from the Canadian prairies answer the call and join the Canadian Mounted Rifles: a unit in which they can use their own beloved horses. They assume their horses will be able to handle the desert terrain of the Great Karoo as readily as the plains of their homeland. Frank Adams, a cowboy from Pincher Creek, joins the Rifles, along with other young men from the ranches and towns nearby — a mix of cowboys and mounted policeman, who, for whatever reason, feel a desire to fight for the Empire in this far-off war. Against a landscape of extremes, Frank forms intense bonds with Ovide Smith, a French cowboy who proves to be a reluctant soldier, and Jefferson Davis, the nephew of a prominent Blood Indian chief, who is determined to prove himself in a “white man’s war.” As the young Canadians engage in battle with an entrenched and wily enemy, they are forced to realize the bounds of their own loyalty and courage, and confront the arrogance and indifference of those who have led them into conflict. For Frank, disillusionment comes quickly, and his allegiance to those from the Distict of Alberta, soon displaces any sense of patriotism to Canada or Britain, or belief that he’s fighting for a just cause. The events of the novel follow the trajectory of the war. The British strategy of burning Boer farms, destroying herds, and moving Boer families into camps weakens the Boer rebels, but they refuse to give up. The thousands of Boer women and children who die in the camp make the war ever more unpopular among liberals in Britain. (In fact, this conflict marked the first use of the term “concentration camp” in war.) Seeing the ramifications of such short-sighted military decisions, and how they affect what happens to Frank and the other Canadians, is crucial to depicting the reality of the Boer War. By focusing on the experiences of a small group of men from southern Alberta, Fred Stenson brings the reality of what it would have been like to be a soldier in this brutal war to vivid life. The Great Karoo is a deeply satisfying novel, marked by the complexities of its plot, the subtleties of its relationships, and the scale of its terrain. Exhilarating and gruesome by turns, it explores with passion and insight the lasting warmth of friendship and the legacy of devastation occasioned by war.
Download or read book Roots and Routes written by Michael De Jongh and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The lives of a previously 'invisible' and forgotten 'first people' of South Africa come to the fore in this carefully researched study. The 'Karretjie People' (Donkey Cart People) of the Great Karoo are direct descendants of the /Xam (San/Bushmen), who were the earliest inhabitants of much of the Karoo interior. Today, as itinerant sheep-shearers, the Karretjie People roam the arid expanses of the Karoo in their donkey carts in search of a possible shearing opportunity, sleeping on the roadside in their make-shift overnight shelters. This unique book is the result of several decades of original research into the lives and community of these gypsy-like wanderers, and it highlights the plight of this marginalized South African community, the 'poorest of the poor.' The ingenious adaptation of the Karretjie People to particularly trying circumstances and their challenging environment is illustrated by their unique way of life. In a reader-friendly narrative, the book not only makes the story of the Karretjie People accessible to the general reader, but offers a deeper insight into the early history and environment of the Great Karoo. Besides offering a colorful portrait of a community neglected by both government and NGO agencies, this book contains rich sociological data, which should bear important implications for policy-makers in the spheres of education and development, as well as in the domain of political decisions. *** "Anthropologist de Jongh describes a people who are an integral part of the socioeconomic structure of the Great Karoo in the southwestern part of South Africa, yet are markedly marginalized. There are 13 case studies, informative maps, and beautiful large photos. Recommended." Choice, January 2013, Vol. 50 No. 05
Download or read book The Historical Karoo written by Chris Schoeman and published by Penguin Random House South Africa. This book was released on 2013-09-30 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To many people, especially those driving along the N1 national road at high speeds, the Karoo represents nothing more than a monotonous, hot and arid landscape to be passed through as quickly as possible. But in this vast, open region, history is everywhere, if visitors would only look for it. And that is exactly the purpose of this book: to point out all the many places, buildings, objects and associated personalities of historical interest in the Karoo. The Karoo has been the world of travellers, writers, statesmen and scientists, figures as diverse as Olive Schreiner, Rudyard Kipling, Winston Churchill and Dr Chris Barnard. It has also been the scene of serious conflict, of which the many old British blockhouses, forts, grave sites and memorials dating from the Anglo-Boer War are vivid reminders; and it still boasts old examples of vernacular and industrial architecture, and engineering, in the form of corbelled houses, water mills and bridges. The Historical Karoo is ordered according to three main routes that people drive through the area. It provides short histories of the towns along the way, and points out the sites, buildings and other aspects of interest that can be found there. Enlivened by historical and current photographs and informative side panels, this book is a collector’s item.
Download or read book The Plains of Camdeboo written by Eve Palmer and published by Penguin Random House South Africa. This book was released on 2012-09-28 with total page 468 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Karoo is a vast semi-desert region that extends across parts of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. This environmentally important area is the largest ecosystem in the country and is abundant in wildlife, vegetation, and ancient history. The Plains of Camdeboo is a celebration of this remarkable landscape. At first encounter the Karoo may seem arid, desolate and unforgiving, but to those who know it, it is a land of secret beauty and infinite variety. For generations author Eve Palmer's family have lived on the Karoo farm of Cranemere, situated on the Plains of Camdeboo. This family have battled for decades against this harsh desert; they have had to adapt to it, learning to fear, respect, and ultimately love it. First published in 1966, The Plains of Camdeboo has become a classic in South African literature. Here is a book that is not autobiography, not history, not botanical study, but all of these and more, blending into a uniquely vivid and personal account of life in the Karoo. The animals, the insects, the wealth of fossils, the countless flowers that spring miraculously to life after rain - all are woven into this rich and engaging story.
Download or read book The Little Karoo written by Pauline Smith and published by Transaction Pub Large Print. This book was released on 1997-01-01 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of stories that captures the landscape and changing world of the Afrikaners of South Africa
Download or read book Vegetation of Southern Africa written by R. M. Cowling and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1997 with total page 656 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Comprehensive illustrated guide to plant science and ecology of southern African vegetation.
Download or read book How on Earth written by Terence McCarthy and published by Penguin Random House South Africa. This book was released on 2012-01-13 with total page 508 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book addresses some of the puzzles in nature: Why do the coastlines of Africa and South America match? Why is Table Mountain flat? Why is there pumice stone on the beaches of Arniston? What causes a tsunami? How does rock get folded? etc. The simple explanations – geological, mineralogical, astronomic, whatever the field – are targeted at those with little knowledge in these fields. The book is vividly illustrated and supported with full-colour photographs.
Download or read book Timeless Karoo written by Jonathan Deal and published by Penguin Random House South Africa. This book was released on 2016-11-18 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This vast and unique region, at once awe-inspiring and secretive, will draw you close into its protective mantle; too close for casual inspection by the hurried traveller. The Karoo will share its secrets with you only if you’re prepared to sit quietly to learn its mysteries over a plate of bobotie, a glass of witblits, and a copy of Timeless Karoo. This beautifully illustrated and well-written book encompasses a vast area: the geographical expanse from Niewoudtville in the northwest, eastwards to Hopetown, south to Steytlerville and west to Montagu. Within this region you will encounter six Karoos: the Central, Hantam, Great, Klein, Tankwa and Northern & Upper Karoo, each with its own stockpile of natural and human history, its own complex tapestry and prehistoric rhythms. Each journey into the Karoo yields a fresh view, a different angle and an urge to cut loose, swing off the tar, and pursue an uncharted dirt road into an unknown horizon.
Download or read book 1001 Natural Wonders You Must See Before You Die written by Michael Bright and published by Chartwell Books. This book was released on 2017-10-24 with total page 963 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 1001 Natural Wonders You Must See Before You Die explores every continent and ocean on the planet for a once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you can revisit time and time again.
Download or read book The Great Karoo written by Leon Nell and published by Struik Publishers. This book was released on 2008 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Looks at De Rust in the Great Karoo from a historical and natural history perspective, peppered with indigenous tales, recipes, fables and snippets of interesting information.
Download or read book Official Handbook written by John Noble and published by . This book was released on 1886 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Earth s Landscape 2 volumes written by Joyce A. Quinn and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2015-02-03 with total page 1211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This unusual encyclopedia brings together in-depth information on more than 450 natural geographic features from around the world and offers an array of creative tools to promote critical thinking and classroom discussion. With Earth undergoing rapid environmental change, students and the general public alike should be knowledgeable about the world's geographic features. This authoritative, two-volume reference enables readers do just that. It describes continents and oceans; individual mountains, islands, caves, and rivers; and ecological entities such as wildlife refuges and national parks. Each entry provides a geographic overview of the feature's significance, location, description, geologic history, biota, protected areas, and environmental issues. But the coverage goes even deeper so that entries also discuss the cultural importance of each natural place, covering everything from indigenous beliefs to traditional folklore to contemporary legends. The encyclopedia stands apart from other works not only in the depth of its coverage but also in its range. It discusses lesser known as well as prominent geographical features and offers critical thinking aids that will help students see how the natural world relates to their daily lives. Teaching and learning tools include an appendix called "Opposing Viewpoints" that allows students to understand landforms involved in current conflicts and disputes as well as an "Activities/Discussion Questions" appendix.
Download or read book John Heywood s Atlas and Geography of the British Empire written by Thomas Higman and published by . This book was released on 1879 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Cold Choice written by Struan Robertson and published by New Africa Books. This book was released on 1991 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Extinction written by Douglas H. Erwin and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2015-03-22 with total page 314 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Some 250 million years ago, the earth suffered the greatest biological crisis in its history. Around 95 percent of all living species died out—a global catastrophe far greater than the dinosaurs' demise 185 million years later. How this happened remains a mystery. But there are many competing theories. Some blame huge volcanic eruptions that covered an area as large as the continental United States; others argue for sudden changes in ocean levels and chemistry, including burps of methane gas; and still others cite the impact of an extraterrestrial object, similar to what caused the dinosaurs' extinction. Extinction is a paleontological mystery story. Here, the world's foremost authority on the subject provides a fascinating overview of the evidence for and against a whole host of hypotheses concerning this cataclysmic event that unfolded at the end of the Permian. After setting the scene, Erwin introduces the suite of possible perpetrators and the types of evidence paleontologists seek. He then unveils the actual evidence--moving from China, where much of the best evidence is found; to a look at extinction in the oceans; to the extraordinary fossil animals of the Karoo Desert of South Africa. Erwin reviews the evidence for each of the hypotheses before presenting his own view of what happened. Although full recovery took tens of millions of years, this most massive of mass extinctions was a powerful creative force, setting the stage for the development of the world as we know it today. In a new preface, Douglas Erwin assesses developments in the field since the book's initial publication.
Download or read book Literary Landscapes written by Attie De Lange and published by Springer. This book was released on 2008-07-10 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the varied ways in which modernist and postcolonial innovations in fiction are motivated by crises and revolutions in the human perception and appropriation of space. 'Space' for the writers concerned has its political, historical, cultural and gender dimensions as well as its geographical identity.
Download or read book A school manual of modern geography Physical and political written by John Richardson (vicar of St. Mary's hospital, Ilford.) and published by . This book was released on 1876 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
