South Africa: The Rise and Fall of Apartheid [Paperback]

Nancy L. Clark (Author), William H. Worger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0582414377 | ISBN-13: 978-0582414372 | Edition: 1

What¿s it about?

Focusing on the rise and fall of Apartheid, this new introductory text explores the history of South Africa from 1948, when the Nationalists came to power, until its dramatic collapse in the 1990s. Two introductory chapters set the system of Apartheid in historical context, looking at the origins of population, slavery and early manifestations of racism, and the consolidation of white rule. The core of this book focuses on how Apartheid evolved during the Nationalist period, the rise of the opposition and the collapse of the system, through to its continuing legacy today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this text appears unparalleled in providing a quick and accessible guide to apartheid and its various facets."

H-Net, Christopher J. Lee, Department of History, Harvard University

From the Back Cover

Apartheid was an oppressive and brutal system of racial discrimination that captured and appalled world opinion during the latter half of the twentieth century. South Africa: The Rise and Fall of Apartheid examines the history of South Africa during this period of apartheid: from 1948 when the Nationalists came to power, through to the collapse of the system in the 1990s.

Written in a clear and accessible manner, the book:

• charts the history of the apartheid regime, starting with the institution of the policy, through the mounting opposition in the 1970¿s and 1980¿s, to its eventual collapse in the 1990¿s
• highlights the internal contradictions of white supremacy
• demonstrates how black opposition, from that of Nelson Mandela to that of thousands of ordinary people, finally brought an end to white minority rule
• provides an extensive set of documents to give insight into the minds of those who fashioned and those who opposed apartheid
• discusses the subsequent legacy of apartheid

Also containing a Chronology, Glossary, Who¿s Who of leading figures and Guide to Further Reading, this book provides students with the most up-to-date and succinct introduction to the ideology and practice of apartheid in South Africa.

Nancy L. Clark is Professor of History and Dean of the Honors College at Louisiana State University. William H. Worger is Professor of History at the University of California, Los Angeles.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Longman; 1 edition (February 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0582414377
• ISBN-13: 978-0582414372
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #614,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best concise analysis of the subject, August 25, 2005

By 

Luiza Vartavarian (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: South Africa: The Rise and Fall of Apartheid (Paperback)

As a former student of Dr Worger I can vouch for his deep knowledge of the subject. Here Worger and Clark give the undergradaute or anyone else with an interest in the subject a thoughtful and well researched analysis of a brutally repressive regime that simply did not just come out of nowhere (Africans have been oppressed in what is today South Africa since the 17th century)and will not simply be deposited on the dust heap for history. The legacy of apatheid will be long and painful for the generations that endured it and the new generations that will grow up in its shadow. Woger proves here beyong any doubt that the National Party regime was without a doubt one of the most vicious and murderous regimes of the second half of the 20th century. Even the Soviet bloc post-1956 fell far short in terms of brutality. Noam Chomsky estimates that some 1.5 million deaths can be laid at Pretoria's for the period of 1978-1989 alone (PW Both's tenure in office). I dont doubt it, Worger cornicles how Pretoria raided, bombed, and destablized all the nations of Southern Africa in a desperate attempt to stay in power. It tortrued and murdered its own Africans when they dared to protest. the work also has a very good section on books for further reading and those interested in the topic, such as myself, can delve deeper if they so choose to.

3.0 out of 5 stars A fine book to be read with great care, January 18, 2012

By 

Doctor "Chipper" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: South Africa: The Rise and Fall of Apartheid (2nd Edition) (Seminar Studies in History Series) (Paperback)

This is a fine, accurate and well-written account of 20th century South Africa.

The denunciations of apartheid and the cataloguing of its pernicious effects on the African majority provide the compelling context for understanding various key issues of public health in post-apartheid South Africa.

One easily grasps how protein anemia, upper respiratory illnesses, TB, childhood diarrhea, widespread malnourishment and the absence of clean drinking water and improper disposal of human and animal waste were all among the lingering effects of apartheid governance.

The perceptive reader will see how the lingering impact of 100 years of segregation and harsh apartheid produced rampant ill health among Africans. If you're looking for the roots of so-called "AIDS cases" in the Rainbow nation, you need look no further.