This book explores South Africa’s tumultuous history from the aftermath of the Second Anglo-Boer War to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on never-before-published documentary evidence – including diaries, letters, eyewitness testimony and diplomatic reports – the book follows the South African people through the battles, elections, repression, resistance, strikes, massacres, economic crashes and health crises that have shaped the nation’s character.

Tracking South Africa’s path from colony to Union and from apartheid to democracy, History of South Africa documents the influence of key figures including Pixley Seme, Jan Smuts, Lilian Ngoyi, H.F. Verwoerd, Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, P.W. Botha and Jacob Zuma. The book also gives detailed accounts of definitive events such as the 1922 Rand Revolt, the Defiance Campaign, Sharpeville, the Soweto uprising and the Marikana massacre. Looking beyond the country’s borders, it unpacks military conflicts such as the World Wars, the armed struggle and the Border War. The book explores the transition to democracy and traces the phases of ANC rule, from the Rainbow Nation to transformation to state capture. It examines the divisive and unifying role of sport, the ups and downs of the economy, and the impact of pandemics from the Spanish flu to AIDS and COVID-19.

As South Africa faces a crisis as severe as any in its history, the book shows that these challenges are neither unprecedented nor insurmountable, and that there are principles to be found in history that may lead us safely into the future.

The first two films in the comedy franchise based on Jeff Kinney's best-selling illustrated novel detailing the trials and tribulations of a wise-cracking pre-teen. 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' (2010) follows 12-year-old Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), who, along with his best friend, Rowley (Robert Capron), spends his days negotiating the minefield that is middle school. Whether dodging bullies, learning complex and seemingly ever-changing social codes, grappling with the onset of puberty or attempting to fathom the mysteries of the opposite sex, Greg writes it all down in his diary. In 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 - Rodrick Rules' (2011), just when he thought life couldn't get any more complicated, Greg is horrified to discover that his older brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick), has taken possession of his secret diary. Meanwhile, he must navigate the hurdles posed by a summer swimming contest and the school talent show.

Roger Williams purchased the fertile Aquidneck Island from the Narragansett tribe in 1637. It was here that Anne Hutchinson, along with William Coddington and other colonists who had been banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, found shelter from persecution. The intrepid dissenters of Rhode Island Colony saw their community flourish with the founding of Portsmouth and Newport townships. The Battle of Rhode Island was the only clash between American colonials and the British on Rhode Island soil during the Revolutionary War. From the mercantile success of the Atlantic triangle trade routes to the establishment of the United States Navy, noted historian Richard V. Simpson brings these and other stories from the Ocean State to life. Join Simpson as he explores the landmarks and architecture of the period to discover the remnants of Rhode Island's colonial past.

It's the early 1600s, and the streets of Italy are bustling. But Michelangelo Galilei, the much younger brother of well-known Italian philosopher and scientist Galileo Galilei, feels lost in the crowd. It seems as though Michelangelo has nothing in common with his older brother. Michelangelo spends countless hours practising his lute, while his brother seems to spend all his time testing long-held scientific beliefs. Then Galileo improves a small telescope, opening up a whole new world to them both. But will it be enough to fill the expanse between them?

Six episodes from the children's animated series following a team of underwater adventurers. Led by Captain Barnacles Bear, Lieutenant Kwazii Cat, Doctor Peso Penguin and the other heroes travel through the sea helping various creatures and making new discoveries. After a hard day's work they return to their base, known as the Octopod.

America's Cup: Trials & Triumphs is a concise history of some of the most interesting of the international struggles for possession of the acclaimed Cup. But more than that, Simpson writes about the ingenuity and technical advancements made over the years in hull and sail design for swift oceangoing sailing yachts. Not satisfied by relating only the history of the America's Cup challenges and defenses, Simpson illustrates some of the interesting events that have changed commercial sailing into the popular sport of sailboat racing. A sport that was once the singular pleasure of wealthy barons of industry is now enjoyed by thousands of middle-class citizens from many nations with access to the sea. Also included in this volume are sailing techniques, maneuvers and useful nautical terminology.

The first two films in the comedy franchise based on Jeff Kinney's best-selling illustrated novel detailing the trials and tribulations of a wise-cracking pre-teen. 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' (2010) follows 12-year-old Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), who, along with his best friend, Rowley (Robert Capron), spends his days negotiating the minefield that is middle school. Whether dodging bullies, learning complex and seemingly ever-changing social codes, grappling with the onset of puberty or attempting to fathom the mysteries of the opposite sex, Greg writes it all down in his diary. In 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 - Rodrick Rules' (2011), just when he thought life couldn't get any more complicated, Greg is horrified to discover that his older brother, Rodrick (Devon Bostick), has taken possession of his secret diary. Meanwhile, he must navigate the hurdles posed by a summer swimming contest and the school talent show.

Part memoir, part social history, Revolutionary Spirit is the poignant, often hilarious story of a cult Liverpool musician s scenic route to fame and artistic validation, and marks the arrival of an original literary voice. If Morrissey was the Oscar Wilde of the 1980s indie scene, Simpson was its William Blake; a self-destructive genius so lost in mystical visions of a new arcadia that he couldn t meet the rent. Simpson s career begins alongside fellow Liverpool luminaries Ian McCulloch, Bill Drummond, Will Sergeant, Pete Wylie, Pete Burns, and Holly Johnson at the infamous Eric s club, where, in 1976, he finds himself at the birth of the city s second great musical explosion. He co-founds and christens the neo-psychedelic pop group The Teardrop Explodes with Julian Cope but walks out of the band just as they are about to break big and goes to work in a tearoom instead. He then forms The Wild Swans, the indie-band of choice for literary-minded teens in the early 1980s, and Care with Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds, sharing a flat with a seventeen-year-old Courtney Love along the way. Marriage, fatherhood, tropical illness, and divorce follow, interspersed with artistic collaborations with Bill Drummond and members of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, among others. Following an onstage reunion with Cope at the Royal Festival Hall, Simpson discovers that seven thousand miles away, in the Philippines, he is considered a musical god. Presidential suites, armed-guards, police escorts you couldn t make it up, and, incredibly, he doesn t need to. Revolutionary Spirit is the story of a musician driven by an unerring belief that artistic integrity will bring its own rewards. It concludes with an exorcism of sorts as Simpson finally rids himself of the debilitating demon of psychological depression that has, from the age of nine, run like malware in the background of his life.

Action comedy starring Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon. Two of the world's most skilled CIA operatives (Pine and Hardy) - who also happen to be best friends - fall out spectacularly when it emerges that they are both dating the same woman, Lauren (Witherspoon). The two men now put their considerable technical skills and arsenal of super-advanced spy gadgetry to use as they go all-out to bring each other down and win the battle for the blonde.

In this collection of Phoebe and her Unicorn comic strips, nine-year-old Phoebe Howell and her magical unicorn friend, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, explore the complexities of popularity, friendship, and crushes. Phoebe finds herself in the awkward position of taking on her friend Max in a debate contest and also helping her best frenemy, Dakota, regain her confidence. Marigold goes to therapy and reconnects with a friend named Sparkleface McGee who she hasn't seen in 700 years. And both Phoebe and Marigold draw a fun series of comics about their lives. As it turns out, the social lives of a nine-year-old human and a centuries-old unicorn have a lot in common! Young readers will enjoy the caring and comedic adventures of this colorful duo as they rediscover the magic in themselves and in each other.

The world's wackiest Volkswagen is back in action in this family comedy. Maggie Peyton (Lindsay Lohan), the first Peyton to graduate from college receives a graduation present from her dad (Michael Keaton). But instead of a 250Z, she instead receives a Volkswagon Bug (Herbie) who soon takes over all of Maggie's driving. After having her best friend Kevin (Justin Long) restore Herbie, she goes to the car show and beats all-time racer Trip Murphy (Matt Dillon). He demands a rematch and attempts to discover the secret behind Herbie. After losing a big race to Trip because of Herbie's stubbornness, Maggie enters the Daytona 500. But will Herbie win?

1000-PIECE PUZZLE measuring 680 x 485mm SPOT FAMOUS CHARACTERS, book and film references, and historical locations as you build the puzzle INCLUDES A FOLD-OUT POSTER featuring fun facts about the legends and the history STURDY & ATTRACTIVE BOX perfect for gifting and storage Uncover the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the round table in intricate detail in this new jigsaw puzzle, illustrated by Adam Simpson. Spot Guinevere and Lancelot, pass by the sword in the stone and search for the holy grail as you build the puzzle. Packed with literary and historical references ranging from Disney to Tennyson, via Monty Python and musicals, this is the perfect gift for book lovers and history fans as well as jigsaw puzzlers.