This anthology offers a kaleidoscopic introduction to South Africa's history, politics, and literature, through 200 excerpts and poems from 108 writers, integrating the words of natives, settlers, explorers, missionaries, soldiers, and politicians, as well as novelists, playwrights, and poets. Chronological chapters touch on first contacts, early exploration, the Boer Wars, animals and hunters, and settlers and missionaries, in addition to gold and diamonds, segregation and miscegenation, fighting for freedom, apartheid, and the post-apartheid era. Each chapter presents excerpts and interwoven comments by the author, with brief introductions to the writer and the work highlighted. The book includes a timeline from 1488 to 2009, plus b&w and color historical photos and illustrations. Clare is a journalist in London. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)