South Africa's 'Border War': Contested Narratives and Conflicting Memories

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Description

South Africa's 'Border War' provides a timely study of the 'war of words' waged by retired South African Defence Force (SADF) generals and other veterans against critics and detractors. The book explores the impact of the 'Border War' on South African culture and society during apartheid and in the new dispensation and discusses the lasting legacy or 'afterlife' of the war in great detail. It also offers an appraisal of the secondary literature of the 'Border War', supplemented by archival research, interviews and an analysis of articles, newspaper reports, reviews and blogs. Adopting a genuinely multidisciplinary approach that borrows from the study of history, literature, visual culture, memory, politics and international relations, South Africa's 'Border War' is an important volume for anyone interested in the study of war and memory or the modern history of South Africa.

Reviews

[This book] bears all the hallmarks of superior scholarship: profound thought and careful consideration, engagement with a wide-ranging historiography on memory and cultural studies, as well as firm intellectual engagement. * Journal of Contemporary History *
Very well researched and underpinned by a myriad of archival sources ... In post-apartheid South Africa, this book is unique ... A welcomed addition to all those interested in the Border War and the liberation struggle in South Africa and Namibia. * South African Historical Journal *
Especially valuable is [Baines'] use of a wide array of sources, as well as his adoption of a cultural studies approach that employs theoretical and conceptual insights derived from [a variety of] disciplines ... The present study offers an opportune moment to investigate how the war is memorised by various constituencies ... [and] is a timely reminder of the deep divisions that still exist in South Africa. * Journal of Namibian Studies *
The author should be applauded for engaging a huge number of sources including secondary literature, archival research, interviews, articles, newspaper reports, reviews and blogs during data collection ... The book is of significance to a number of disciplines ... [and] I invite all members of the academic fraternity to read the book and join me in congratulating Gary Baines. * Historical Dialogue, Justice, and Memory Network *
[This book] bears all the hallmarks of superior scholarship: profound thought and careful consideration, engagement with a wide-ranging historiography on memory and cultural studies, as well as firm intellectual engagement ... An important, intelligent and necessary book. * Journal of Contemporary History *
...[T]his book represents an important contribution to the rapidly growing literature...all those interested in Southern Africas Cold Warera conflicts are strongly recommended to read Bainess excellent book. * Journal of Military History *

Author Bio

Gary Baines is Professor of History at Rhodes University, South Africa.