His commentaries cover a wide range of topics, from the Dawn of Mankind to the Era of Nelson Mandela. And, at the end of each tour comes the inevitable request: “There is more to this country than I ever believed – is there a book you can recommend?”There are books, of course, many of which are weighty indeed. Each addresses a particular subject, and contains far more detail than the average traveler would ever be able to digest. But, until now, there’s never been an easy read which has it all in the space of a single volume.Written originally for visitors, it is also finding favor with local South Africans who are learning things about their own country that they didn't know they didn't know! To enhance the reader’s experience, a number of informative maps and diagrams complement the text.You may be a visitor, a local, or just someone wishing to know more about South Africa and how it came to be where it is today. The South African Story is a great place to start.

    Yet, surprisingly, few if any of their ferocious African wars are known to English-speaking readers. In this impeccably researched and spellbinding new book, John Leband seeks to redress this imbalance expertly recalling this remarkable saga in full.

    Growing up, Joseph Conforti's world was defined by rolling hills, granite mills, and forests of triple-deckers. Conforti, whose mother was Portuguese and whose father was Italian, recounts how he negotiated those identities in a city where ethnic heritage mattered. Paralleling his own account, Conforti shares the story of his family, three generations of Portuguese and Italians who made their way in this once-mighty textile city.