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by Deneys Reitz (Author), J. C. Smuts (Foreword by)
""Commando: A Boer Journal of the Boer War"" is a memoir written by Deneys Reitz, a young Boer soldier who fought in the Second Boer War (1899-1902) against the British Empire. The book recounts Reitz's experiences as a member of a Boer commando, a group of guerrilla fighters who engaged in hit-and-run tactics against the British army. Reitz provides a vivid and personal account of the war, describing the battles, skirmishes, and hardships that he and his fellow soldiers faced. He also reflects on the political and social context of the conflict, including the Boers' struggle for independence and the British Empire's desire for control over South Africa. The book offers a unique perspective on the Boer War, as it is written by a participant in the conflict rather than an outside observer. Reitz's writing style is engaging and descriptive, making the reader feel as though they are experiencing the war alongside him. Overall, ""Commando: A Boer Journal of the Boer War"" is a compelling and informative read for anyone interested in the history of South Africa, military history, or personal memoirs.1929. Deneys Reitz, who is now one of General Smuts�������s political lieutenants and a warm supporter of the British Commonwealth, fought through the South African War as our enemy. He enlisted on the outbreak of the war as a boy of seventeen and went through it to the bitter end. His father was President of the Orange Free State, and after peace was concluded he and his family went into exile. Later he returned to his own country; and later still fought in the Great War on the side of the Allies, first in West and South Africa, and then in France, where he was severely wounded, and where he came to command the First Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Commando abounds in interesting sidelights and portraits-Kruger, De Wet, Smuts, Kitchener. One of the most remarkable passages gives us a glimpse of the young Winston Churchill as prisoner of war in Pretoria. It is difficult to speak of this book in anything short of a string of superlatives. The spirit of it is magnificent; the uncomplaining courage of the boy-fighter rouses memories of all the stories down the ages about unrecking devotion to an ideal. And not one of them is a finer one than this.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
