This book gives an account of the turbulent and remarkable political history of South Africa in the twentieth century, starting with the South African (Boer) War and finishing as Nelson Mandela comes to power.

Professor James Barber is a member of the Centre of International Studies at Cambridge University, and a Fellow of the South African Institute of International Affairs. Previously he was Master of Hatfield College, and Professor of Politics at Durham University. He has published extensively on Southern African affairs including Rhodesia: The Road to Rebellion (1967); South Africa's Foreign Policy: 1945-1970 (1973); The Uneasy Relationship: Britain and South Africa (1983); and South Africa's Foreign Policy: The Search for Status and Security (1990 with John Barratt). He has also published on British politics including The Prime Minister since 1945 (Blackwell, 1991).