Description

Wilmington, NC Jackson and Bell Company, 1960. Hard cover, 108 pp. Inscribed (personalized) and signed by author on half-title page. In good+ condition / NO dust jacket. Maroon cloth covered boards with gold lettering and illustration on front and spine. Light bumping to edges and corners of covers and light overall scuffing and soiling. Binding tight. Pages lightly aged but otherwise clean and unmarked. Black and white photos and illustrations. Am American businessman's personal account of struggles facing South Africa in 1950. NOT Ex-library. NO remainder marks. [From Foreword] The following story was inspired after a visit to many countries on the African continent. As the story goes to press in May, 1960, the present revolt taking place in Africa was in its infancy while I was there. This uprising was predicted by me then, stating several times in the story, that — "If left alone to work out their problems in their own way, the next generation will witness the rise of many countries on the African Continent, who, like their already progressive sister countries, will take their rightful place with other nations of the world." Unfortunately, they were not left alone, and the tragic scene taking place now is the culmination of three centuries of planning. While in Africa I met many Afrikaners (the whites who govern South Africa politically, and are the descendents of the early Dutch settlers). They are wonderful people possessing many stalwart virtues, and they are well equipped by temperament and tradition to cope with the 20th Century. They are afraid, however, and with reason; the canopy of civilization thrown up by the white man, largely in the past 60 years, barely conceals a state of native savagery. Ghana is now independent, Nigeria soon will be and others will be coming along. The South African Bantus have heard about this, and the knowledge is festering unrest. For the white Afrikaner, the final tragedy is that, however badly some may think he has managed things, this is his native land too. Even if he wanted to leave, where would he go? Back to Holland? He is no more Dutch than I am. Africa is his home. I believe, however, that Africa is truly the last earthly frontier of golden opportunity, and its proper development could be a boon to mankind. I also firmly believe, that should the government open its doors to unrestricted white immigration from Europe, the great fear of the Afrikaners of being "swamped" or "swallowed up? and the general condition of the present unrest in this beautiful country, would be greatly improved.