home buyer's club used books

NEW BOOKS

This page contains new books, both imported and locally published. We intend adding and editing on a regular basis. If the book you are looking for is not here please ask - we may have it or may find it for you. Although every effort is made to list up-to-date prices, these are subject to change - you will be notified of a price change before supply.

Remember the 10% discount & free postage within South Africa for orders of two or more books - see our Buyer's Club page. International customers enquire for price and postage rates. If you are an international customer and would like to give a book as a gift to a South African we provide the service.

Abbreviations used below: PB = Paperback; TPB = Trade (or larger) paperback; HC = Hard cover

 

NEW AFRICANA

  1. On the contrary: leading the opposition in the new South Africa by Tony Leon HC @ R325 TPB @ R250 Tony Leon is the recently retired leader of the official opposition in South Africa. Here he records and adventure in ideas that involves real people, friends colleagues and enemies alike. There is a fresh light here on a half-century of figures who have shaped modern South Africa.

  2. An unpopular war: from afkak to bosbefok - voices of South African national servicemen collected by JH Thompson TPB @ R163 at last a collection of memories and reflections of ordinary South Africans involved in border conflict in Namibia and Angola, with perspectives on klaaring in, training, inspection, gyppoing, patrols, open combat and covert operations. Told in their own words. Essential for an understanding of life of an ordinary soldier during apartheid years NOW ALSO AVAILABLE IN AFRIKAANS

  3. Rainbow's end a memoir of childhood, war & an African farm by Lauren St John PB @ R135 The story of a Zimbabwean farm in the twilight of colonialism at the end of the civil war, seen through the eyes of a child
  4. Against the grain: memoirs of a Zimbabwean newsman by Geoffrey Nyarota TPB @ R184 [Recollections of a former editor of "opposition" press in Zimbabwe - of his early life as a school teacher and his work as a journalist. Insightful]
  5. A hunter's wanderings in Africa: being a narrative of nine years spent amongst the game of the far interior of South Africa ... by Frederick Courteney Selous TPB @ R255 [A large paperback facsimile reprint of one of the classics of African exploration and big game hunting]
  6. Visiting our area of Zulu warriors, Boer Voortrekkers and famous battlefields ? Try this instant well illustrated guide: KwaZulu-Natal heritage sites: a guide to some great places by Sue Derwent. TPB @ R130 [Divides the region into three: Northern & Central KZN - land of the Zulu & of battlefields (Boer War, Zulu War, etc) - KZN South - the port & city of Durban and its multicultural dimensions - Pietermaritzburg & Midlands - featuring red brick achitecture - a final section deals with the two World Heritage sites - Maputaland & Drakensberg. Extensively illustrated with photos and maps for all important heritage sites that you should visit from Durban & Pietermaritzburg
  7. Remembering the rebellion: the Zulu uprising of 1906 by Jeff Guy TPB @ R215 [More accessible than most books onthe Bambatha Rebellion, this gives accounts from both sides of the conflict and is well illustrated with photos, portraits & colour maps]
  8. The Maphumulo uprising: war, law and ritual in the Zulu Rebellion by Jeff Guy TPB @ R195 [A modern study of the "Bambatha Rebellion"]
  9. At thy call we did not falter by Clive Holt PB @ R163 [A frontline account of the 1988 Angolan War (Bushwar), as seen through the eyes of a conscripted soldier. Illustrated with colour photos]

  10. Around Africa on my bike Riaan Manser Trade paperback. Pp. 300. The author rode out of Cape Town in November 2003, determined to become the first person to circumnavigate Africa by bicycle. Two years later he rode back into Cape Town, having covered 36500 km through 34 countries. Relive the toil, excitement and occasional terror of this journey. Illustrated with colour photos. R199

  11. An historical meander through the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal Bill Bizley & Pat McKenzie Trade paperback. Pp. 148, black/white photos. The authors take us back to a forgotten time of Victorian elegance in buildings & society. R160

  12. After the party: a personal and political journey inside the ANC Andrew Feinstein Trade paperback. Pp. 300. A high profile ANC MP, Feinstein attempted to investigate the military arms deal against the wishes of the party leadership. He was forced to choose between his principles and the party. Here he writes and explosive expose of the arms deal and the inner workings of the ANC. R174

  13. The making of a nation: South Africa's road to freedom Peter Joyce TPB. Pp. 215. An overview of South Africa's history from the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), through Union, apartheid, the road to freedom, democratic South Africa. Well illustrated, with photos & facsimiles (some in colour), portraits. R214

  14. Red on black: the story of the South African poster movement Judy Seidman Trade paperback. Pp. 280. Well illustrated study of the use of graphics and posters in the struggle against apartheid. R285

  15. Bead by bead: reviving an ancient African tradition, the Monkeybiz story Barbara Jackson & Kristy Evans Trade paperback, about 140 pages, illustrated with full colour reproductions of artworks, portraits & patterns. R189

  16. Dark continent, my black arse Sihle Khumalo Trade paperback. This is an insightful, hilarious account of the author's epic Cape to Cairo adventure a journey undertaken using only public transport! In 2003, Sihle Khumalo decided to give up his lucrative job and comfortable lifestyle in Durban, in order to celebrate his 30th birthday by crossing the continent from south to north. Celebrating life with gusto and an inimitable style, he describes a journey fraught with discomfort, mishaps, ecstasy, disillusionment, discovery and astonishing human encounters. R133

  17. Khayelitsha: UMlungu in a township Steven Otter Paperback. Pp. 294, colour & black/white photos. Steven Otter ignored advice from his white friends and to the amusement of his black friends, moved into Khayelitsha, a black township outside Cape Town. He spent some time there and this is the story of his experiences. R112

  18. More spit 'n more polish Barry Ronge Paperback. Pp. 232. This new collection is the follow up to the bestselling 2006 stocking filler. It represents the best of hundreds of columns written down the years and reflects some of Barry Ronge's favourite topics. R112

  19. Tracks in a mountain range: exploring the history of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg John Wright & Aron Mazel Trade paperback. Pp. 155. A well researched & illustrated study on the Drakensberg mountains, from early pioneering San and their rock paintings to the black farmers, Boer trekkers and modern day tourism. R194

  20. Springboks on the Somme: South Africa in the Great War, 1914-1918 Bill Nasson Trade paperback. Pp. 257. A study of South African participation in the First World War, from the Afrikaner Rebellion, Namibia, German East Africa to Europe. Illustrated with photos & maps. R184

  21. African basketry: grassroots art from southern Africa by Anthony B. Cunningham & M. Elizabeth Terry. This comprehensive book documents the origins, historical context, usage, and raw materials utilized in the crafting of different types of basketry in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, southern Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, as well as in the mid-Zambezi area of western Zambia, and part of south-eastern Angola. Tony Cunningham is a well-known ethno-biologist from KwaZulu-Natal. Large format hardcover of 207 pages with 320 colour photos, diagrams & maps @ R360.00
  22. The southern African Plectranthus and the art of turning shade to glade by Ernst van jaarsveld; illustrations by Vicki Thomas. A comprehensive book on these African plants. Chapters on collecting, cultivation, gardening with clear colour photos, illustrations & tables. The final section is an account of 57 species with beautiful colour drawings by Vicki Thomas @ R350.00
  23. Hidden wonders: the small 5005 of southern Africa: insects, spiders, frogs, reptiles Photographs by Dan Lieberman, text by Rael Loon Large format hardcover with dust jacket. For the first time, a large format book with superb large colour photos of small and minute creatures of southern Africa. R329

  24. To the ends of the earth: 100 maps that changed the world Jeremy Harwood Large format hardcover with dust jacket. Pp. 192. Beautifully illustrated study of 100 maps that changed ways of viewing and exploring the world. Includes Portuguese discoveries, Mercator & Bleau atlases and modern projections and satelite mapping. R230

  25. In search of remarkable trees: on safari in southern Africa Thomas Pakenham A4 Hardcover with dust jacket. The author set off in search of rare, giant, old, extraordinary or beautiful trees, as well as those imbued with significance, written about by great explorers of the past, or associated with magic, folklore, or ritual. Illustrated with the author's outstanding colour photos. R355

  26. The African baobab Rupert Watson Hardcover with dust jacket. Pp. 200. Full colour photos throughout. Delves into the biology, uses and folklore of this unusual tree. R204

  27. Field guide to fynbos John Manning Trade paperback. Pp. 508. A comprehensive field guide to more than 1100 of the 7000 plant species found in the fynbos. Illustrated with colour photos & distribution maps. R194

  28. Forest Plants, In the Forest and in the Garden by Elsa Pooley. This is the first in a new series called Popular Guides to the Biomes of South Africa Forest Plants is a 72-page, glossy, beautifully illustrated guide to 107 plants and some of the butterflies, birds and mammals found in forests of the country. The text provides notes on the plants, utilization and gardening, as well as scientific and common names in local languages. The book is sized 240 x 170mm, h2 as 72 high quality glossy pages with 170 full colour photographs @ R95 For more information go to http://www.abcbook.co.za/pooleynew.htm.
  29. The story of earth & life: a southern African perspective on a 4.6-billion-year journey by Terence McCarthy & Bruce Rubidge TPB @ R234 [The first book for the layman dealing with southern African geology, prehistory, landscape and ecosystems. Beautifully illustrated with colour photos, diagrams & maps. Written two professors from University of the Witwatersrand. Ideal for schools and home use]
  30. The trouble with Africa: stories from a safari camp by Vic Guhrs PB @ R122 [Account of life in a conservation area in Zambia, written by a well-known wildlife artist]
  31. The mammals of the southern African subregion by Smithers, et al. - Large format HC @ R950 [The eagerly awaited 3rd revised edition now available]
  32. Roberts birds of southern Africa. 7th edition by P.A.R. Hockley, W.R.J. Dean & P.G. Ryan - Large format HC @ R800 [The ultimate in southern African bird books, with newly commissioned colour plates, distribution maps and up-to-date text. This huge reference work is good value for money]
  33. PLACE a collection of South African travel & landscape quotations by Bridget Hilton-Barber & Pat Hopkins TPB @ R122 Do you enjoy travel books? If so try this volume of quotations and extracts about South Africa. Many of the quotes are extensive, running to more than half a page, arranged by province. Some are from the 19th century and earlier, others from the present. Quotes by Anthony Trollope, Henry M. Stanley, Herman Charles Bosman, Pamela Jooste, Mohandas K. Gandhi, poems by William Plomer, Roy Campbell and others
  34. Dances with devils: a journalist's search for truth by Jacques Pauw. One of our leading investigative journalists casts his net over Africa and tells of experiences with corruption, violence, warfare, compassion, morality, love. Softcover, 393 pages, colour photos. @ R194
  35. Views in colonial Natal: a select catalogue raisonne of the southern Africa paintings of Cathcart William Methven (1849-1925) by Nigel Hughes - Large format HC @ R700 [Edition limited to 1000 numbered copies, signed by the author and privately published. A superbly illustrated book of paintings of Durban, the midlands of Natal and the Drakensberg]
  36. Encounters with the dragon: a photographer's passion for the Drakensberg John Hone Large format hardcover with dust jacket. Pp. 277, colour & sepia photos, colour map. At last, a book to on the Drakensberg Mountains to rival Barrier of spears. A fantastic collection of photos and tales, of landscape, nature & climbing incidents. From Bushman rock art, to scenes of climbers snowed-in, superlatives don't do this work justice. Buy one and taste the fresh mountain air! R465

GENERAL NON-FICTION

  1. History: the definitive visual guide Dorling Kindersley A4 Harcover with dust jacket. Pp. 612, 3000 full-colour images, 106 page insert of sepia illustrations. From the origins of humankind to the 21st century, spanning the globe and based on the latest research and stunning photography, this is the complete story of the people, events, themes, ideas and forces that have shaped human existence. R425

  2. 101 world heroes: great men & women for an unheroic age Simon Sebag Montefiore A4 hardcover with dust jacket. A unique and personal tribute to men & women who have left an indelible mark on history. Includes Hannibal, Tolstoy, Anne Frank, Einstein, Mandela, and others. Profusely illustrated with photos, portraits & maps. R234

  3. No reservations: around the world on an empty stomach Anthony Bourdain Trade paperback. A fully illustrated account of Bourdain's globe-trotting adventures from piranhas in Peru, to rare reindeer in Sweden, to bombs in Beirut. More from the author of Kitchen confidential. R244

  4. Traditional South African cooking Magdaleen van Wyk & Pat Barton A4 Hardcover. A collection of recipes that will enable the modern cook to continue the tradition of previous generations, producing the same delicious meals that our ancestors used to. A blend of Dutch, French, German, British, Malay and other eastern cuisine. Pp. 144, with full colour photos. R164

  5. The shock doctrine Naomi Klein Trade paperback. In her latest book, Naomi Klein explodes the myth that the global free market triumphed democratically. The shock doctrine is the gripping story of how America's free market policies have come to dominate the world through the exploitation of disaster shocked people and countries. R200

  6. How to fossilize your hamster and other amazing experiments for the armchair scientist Mick O'Hare Paperback. Pp. 256. Published by New Scientist, this is the successor to the popular Why don't penguins' feet freeze. R128

  7. Qi: the book of animal ignorance Hardcover with dust jacket. A very interesting collection of facts about animals from the writers of the hit BBC show, QI. The authors are John Lloyd & John Mitchinson, who also created The QI book of general ignorance, a runaway best seller at Christmas last year. R199

  8. Bird: the definitive visual guide Dorling Kindersley A4 Hardcover with dust jacket. Pp. 512. Illustrated with 3500 colour photos, artwork & many maps. Dorling Kindersley in association with Birdlife International has produced a stunning testament to the splendour of the world's birds. From dazzling rainforest birds to monkey-eating eagles, this is the bird world as never seen before. R425

  9. Voyages that changed the world Peter Aughton A4 hardcover with dust jacket. Pp. 208. A well illustrated brief guide to 27 epic or world affecting voyages, from Phoenicians & Chinese, through the age of exploration (Drake, Cooke & Darwin) to Shackleton, Amundsen & Scott. Includes numerous references to Africa and the Cape. R245

 

SOUTH AFRICAN NOVELS

  1. The hidden star by K. Sello Duiker TPB @ R113 [New novel by the young author of two previous prize winning novels. Duiker committed suicide in 2005. In this fantasy novel, the author mixes characters out of African myth and folklore with the reality of everyday township life]
  2. Spud by Johan van de Ruit PB @ R112 [Novel by a Durban author based on school days at Michaelhouse]
  3. Spud .... the madness continues by Johan van de Ruit PB @ R112 [further adventures in a midlands school]

 

LATEST NOVELS

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RECENT CRIME & ACTION NOVELS

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SOME OTHER GREAT RECENT NOVELS

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BOOKS FOR KIDS

 

  1. ASTERIX and the falling sky by R. Goscinny & A. Uderzo - Large format HC @ R139 [A new Asterix graphic story, the 33rd in the series]
  2. Ambervulturecrocs by Irma Chait TPB @ R92 [African story for young kids]
  3. Houdini's adventure by Nikki Berry, illustrations by Annette van Zyl PB @ R92 [Delightfully illustrated story of an escaped baby hippo in the Cape Town suburb of Zeekoevlei]

EMAIL ORDERS AND ENQUIRIES TO: books@abcbook.co.za