A Concise Dictionary of the Boer War

The South African War, popularly known as the Boer War, is memorable for many reasons. It was a final act to the great European scramble for colonies in Africa, and unique in that it saw the colonizing power making near-modern war on a group of white Africans. It was, however, not solely an affair between Boer and Briton. Indeed, one of the ironies of what was officially regarded as a "white man's war" is to be found in the numbers of black Africans who were also caught up in its violence, as both participants and victims. A century later we can more clearly see, recount and analyze events that have often been distorted or barely acknowledged.

This reference work starts with a chronology of South Africa from pre-colonial times to 1994, followed by a synopsis of the main events of the war. This serves as a convenient point of departure for exploring the more than 320 alphabetical entries that form the heart of the book.;These deal not only with the main personalities, places and events of the war but also with such general topics as the role of black people in the conflict, blockhouses, casualties, horses, infantry, medals, photography, railways, soldiers, spies, war artists, war correspondents, and weapons. A system of cross-referencing allows the reader easy access to related topics. There are four maps showing Southern Africa at the turn of the century, and an index to subjects which do not have separate entries.