Footprint Press – förlag

As Rob Hersov writes in his Foreword, My Joburg Family brought back a flood of memories, a feeling of déjà vu, which would surely be shared by members of this generation when reading the book. When I think back to my childhood and growing up in Johannesburg in the 60s and 70s, I almost feel guilty as it was the happiest of times.’For the white community, there was a simplicity to life, things were ordered and predictable. The sun was always shining but were there dark clouds on the horizon. Were we experiencing a false sense of security? Was this also a time of uncertainty? Although Glenn Babb’s parents were uncomfortable with the current political situation, he grew up in comfortable surroundings, well-prepared for a fine education, a degree in law, overseas travel and ultimately a distinguished career. Throughout the narrative, Glenn shows a keen awareness of the political overtones and there are numerous references to the characters he met along the way. Fine writing flows from his intelligent pen – the book will take you back on the paths of nostalgia.

Dreams & Dust is a unique book and an important contribution to the evolving new historiography of South Africa. It is an overview of the 58 (mostly) short-lived republics that have existed in South Africa since 1795 – and an equally-fascinating 20 fictional ones (Bapetikosweti, Fook, Wakanda etc). This comprehensive, meticulously-researched book stretches to 611 pages, and includes 85 seldom-seen historical maps and many extraordinary images. It is a must for any bookshelf for people interested in the uncovered aspects of South Africa’s rich and tumultuous past – while the section of the fictional states and the concluding chapters take on an aspirational, forward-looking view.

This 600 plus paged book, meticulously researched by Rob Smith, tells the story of the Nottinghamshire 1820 Settlers. The two parties from Nottinghamshire were representative of typical settlers, suffering many communal trials and tribulations, and participating in outstanding achievements. Ultimately, they were successful in their new home, a land of immense opportunity. The four parties with Nottinghamshire participants were White’s, Damant’s, Calton’s, and Sephton’s. The other principal family in the party with the Damants was the Atherstones with their strong ties to Nottinghamshire. It is appropriate to consider the Damants from Norfolk and the Atherstones from Nottingham as one extended family at the head of the only emigration party assembled in Norfolk. Dr John Atherstone was born in Nottingham in 1791, qualified as a doctor at Guy’s Middlesex Hospital, and married Elizabeth Damant. “ It is no exaggeration to state that the Damants, Whites and Atherstones formed the nucleus of a dynasty at the Cape and certain family members ere destined to become some of South Africa’s most influential individuals. ” Separate chapters deal with Henry Hartley, the hunter and explorer who rediscovered the ancient gold workings in Tati (now Francistown) that led to the first southern African gold rush; Dr Guybon Atherstone (who identified the Eureka diamond and performed the first amputation in southern Africa using anaesthetic); and the White family of Albany (whose scion T.C., Thomas Charles, was his own man, a stubborn and caustic character but a champion for the underdog and the unfortunate).