Product Description
Searching for the Queen's Cowboys is the story of a journey around South Africa making a documentary film about Strathcona's Horse, a Canadian regiment that fought in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 - 1902.

In the making of this film, South African born author, Tony Maxwell, returned to his homeland after a 40-year absence to rediscover a country that was enchanting, shocking, unbelievably beautiful and, at times, frightening.

Travelling with his son Brad in search of old battlefields and graveyards, he learned about the history of his country while recalling his personal stories of growing up in apartheid South Africa.

His recollections, combined with the sometimes disturbing opinions of South Africans from all walks of life, reveal a country still trying to come to terms with its turbulent history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Insightful, Well Written, Fun
'Searching for the Queen's Cowboys' is an interesting combination of military history, political history, and travelogue along with the story of the author's life.Most interesting, perhaps, is the discussion of South Africa today.The author, Tony Maxwell, was born in South Africa, where as a child he visited battlefields and unearthed artifacts, developing an appreciation of the country's military history.Tony immigrated at an early age to Canada and discovered that few Canadians knew that their country had sent troops to fight in the Boer War.Traveling to South Africa to film a documentary on a Canadian cavalry unit, Tony and his son find that post-apartheid South Africa is a deeply troubling and crime ridden land.Car jacking is common.Murder rates are on a par with Columbia, which is in the midst of a low grade civil war.Gangs of armed thieves tear down the gates of fort-like houses to rob them, while the police and private security firms avoid a confrontation by intentionally arriving too late to be of help.The government ignores the fact that a substantial portion of the population has HIV/AIDS and fails to condemn the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe in neighboring Zimbabwe.Tony shows the convoluted political history of the country in a brutally honest and straight forward manner, showing few genuine heroes in the course of South African politics.In the end, 70% of the white population voted to give the black population the vote.The oppressed black population was poorly prepared to rule, however, or even to function in the workplace.Corruption, crime, and unemployment are rampant, and the country appears to be descending into anarchy.

Military history, my main interest, seems to be the secondary subject of the book - at best - and the Strathcona Horse, the subject of Tony's documentary, is mentioned relatively infrequently in relation to the war as a whole.That isn't a bad thing by any means, though.The book's descriptions of battles and campaigns are compelling and understandable despite a dearth of maps, an all too common problem with books now.The author frequently shifts between military history, political history, modern South Africa, and his own experiences - making for compelling reading.This well written book is hard to put down and should appeal to a broad range of readers.

GOING HOME AGAIN


In this well written and meticulously researched book, Tony Maxwell takes an insightful look at South Africa, both historic and modern. Maxwell and his son go on a pilgrimage, filming a documentary about Canadian soldiers who fought in the Anglo Boer War.

Maxwell, born in South Africa, writes with engaging humor, deep affection and more than a little sadness about the land of his birth.Very few people truly understand all the intricacies of South Africa's convoluted history.Maxwell makes it poignantly clear how one tragedy built on another, resulting in the troubled conditions that presently exist in the country.

Tony Maxwell, filmmaker, also has a gift for bringing written scenes alive in a compelling manner.He tells the story of Canada's Queen's Cowboys, the mounted regiment raised and equipped by Lord Strathcona in 1900, sent off to fight in South Africa.But the book is many layered, filled with engaging tales of Maxwell's adventures as a younger man in both South Africa and London, and also the quest, with his son, to trace the path of the Queen's Cowboys.

Every journey leads to self- discovery, and every good book leaves it's reader enriched.This excellent book brought a personal awareness of a portion of Canada's history nearly forgotten, and of a beautiful country beleaguered by corruption and incompetence.By shining a clear, uncompromising light on South Africa, Tony Maxwell's book may help shine away some of the darkness.

A Great Read....
"Searching for the Queen's Cowboys" is a fascinating and insightful look at Canada's significant involvement in the Anglo-Boer War, while at the same time deftly chronicling the past, present and future of South Africa,.And it's told with humor, depth and keen understanding by a man who is traveling with his son from Canada, returning to his African homeland to film a documentary on the history of Strathcona's Horse in that beautiful, troubled country.

Like a literary juggler keeping all the balls in the air at once, Tony Maxwell effectively tells three stories at the same time - skillfully interweaving the tale of traveling to South Africa making a film with his son Brad, with the meticulous details and absorbing anecdotes tracing the epic battle between the local Boers and the British at the turn of the last century, all the while providing insights and thoughtful observations on the political and social complexities of modern day South Africa.

In fact, each of the three stories on their own make compelling reading.The Maxwells' journey to the battlefields and graves and to the towns and cities to shoot footage for their documentary reads at times like an adventure story, complete with a cast of interesting characters along the way, and an intricate mix of intrigue, risk, and discovery.

The fascinating story of the Anglo-Boer War itself is told with formidable knowledge and respect for the meticulous details of both side of the conflict, and one of Maxwell's strengths is the ability to make the terrors and triumphs come grippingly alive for the reader.

And the author's return to the place of his birth after a forty year absence brings to the book a significant point of view and leads to unique recollections and, at times, unsettling opinions and conclusions that place "Searching for the Queen's Cowboys" much more than a book of history or travel.

For anyone with even a passing interest in the Boer War or South Africa itself, this book is a must-read.
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Product Description
The Anglo-Zulu War was a defining episode in British imperial history, and it is still a subject of intense interest. The Zulu victory at Isandlwana, the heroic British defense of Rorke's Drift and the eventual British triumph are among the most closely researched events of the colonial era.

Customer Reviews (1)

Knight's new offering fills neglected gap in Zulu War literature
In the genre of historical inquiry and interpretation, a book bearing the word "Companion" within its title, seems to immediately conjure the image of a reference manual.Often, such references are quickly dismissed as dry, boring and only of value to the most zealous students.In this instance however, the term Companion is somewhat misleading.To be sure, it does fulfill it's reference expectations in the manner one would expect from Ian Knight, with absolute accuracy, unassailable scholarship and thorough annotation.But the real genius of this work did not strike me until I was near the end of page 53.I had devoured the first twelve topical studies, from Ammunition Boxes to Burying the Dead, in one swipe----as if I were on vacation guiltily reading tawdry fiction.Within this type of book, which seems to have more ambiguous literary parameters than that of a serious history, Knight is able to stretch a bit, and he shows himself as a writer of most excellent quality.Indeed, it is his commentary on the facts and anecdotes examined that gives this work it's tremendous value.

Regarding the gap in Zulu War literature alluded to in the title, it's filled by this book in the following manner.A quick examination of my book shelves revealed a count of no less than 75 major titles dealing specifically with the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, not to mention countless magazine articles, society journals and smaller specialty books dealing with aspects such as uniforms and weapory.The point is then, when one is reading these accounts, often they cause as many questions to arise as those they answer.A simplistic yet clear enough example is the Ammunition Box controversy at Isandlwana.It's well and good to read about a possible shortage of ammuntion due to the nature of the boxes.However, this book explains why or why not that may have been the case but only after a comprehensive look at the evidence, from the design of the box, to survivor testimony and archaeological data.As this is the standard methodology applied to all the scrutinized subjects, a great many of my questions finally have answers.

A feature that should be well appreciated for it's convenience factor, is the inclusion within the introduction of maps associated with every major military action of the war.The biggest visual treat however is on the dust cover, which features a newly discovered contemporary painting from an as yet unknown artist, of the action at the mission station at Rorke's Drift.Unfortunately, as the size of the original painting is obviously too large to fit even wrapped around the cover, one is not afforded a truly satisfying view.Hopefully at some point the entire painting will be made available in print form.

In the age of the internet, many students of history find themselves debating and discussing favorite subjects online with others of like interests.For those who find themselves emeshed in the history of the Anglo-Zulu War, having this book will most assuredly lend an advantage over fellow debaters, as well as saving one from rampaging through 75 books for that one all important reference!

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True stories and amazing facts, all relevant to the N4 highway between Gauteng (Johannesburg/Pretoria) and the Kruger National Park and Maputo, Mozambique.
The N4 Book (published March 2010) contains stories, most of them relating to landmarks visible from the road, about the Anglo-Boer War, the fight against apartheid, remarkable animals and fish, the NZASM railway, gold-crazed prospectors, interesting towns and villages, amazing geology and weather.
The N4 Book is indispensable to anyone travelling this 500km (310 miile) stretch of road, one ofthe most scenic and intereting in South Africa.
There are stories to keep the whole family interested. Don't just drive the N4 - experience it! ... Read more

Product Description
South African Wars (1879¿1915). Anglo-Zulu War, First Boer War, Pioneer Column, First Matabele War, Second Matabele War, Second Boer War, Bambatha Rebellion, Maritz Rebellion, Walvis Bay. ... Read more

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U of Wisconsin PhD Dissertation 1985, supervised by Jan Vansina ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Phoney War, also called the Twilight War by Winston Churchill, der Sitzkrieg in German ("the sitting war": a play on the word Blitzkrieg),[1] the Bore War (a play on the Boer War), the Polish dziwna wojna ("strange war"), and the French drôle de guerre ("funny war" or "joke war") was a phase in early World War II ? in the months following the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 and preceding the Battle of France in May 1940 ? that was marked by a lack of major military operations in Continental Europe. The great powers of Europe had declared war on one another, yet neither side had committed to launching a significant attack, and there was relatively little fighting on the ground, notwithstanding terms of Anglo-Polish military alliance and Franco-Polish Military Alliance, which obliged the United Kingdom and France to assist Poland. ... Read more

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Take a community of Dutchmen of the type of those who defended themselves for fifty years against all the power of Spain at a time when Spain was the greatest power in the world. Intermix with them a strain of those inflexible French Huguenots who gave up home and fortune and left their country for ever at the time of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The product must obviously be one of the most rugged, virile, unconquerable races ever seen upon earth. Take this formidable people and train them for seven generations in constant warfare against savage men and ferocious beasts, in circumstances under which no weakling could survive, place them so that they acquire exceptional skill with weapons and in horsemanship, give them a country which is eminently suited to the tactics of the huntsman, the marksman, and the rider. Then, finally, put a finer temper upon their military qualities by a dour fatalistic Old Testament religion and an ardent and consuming patriotism. Combine all these qualities and all these impulses in one individual, and you have the modern Boer -- the most formidable antagonist who ever crossed the path of Imperial Britain. Our military history has largely consisted in our conflicts with France, but Napoleon and all his veterans have never treated us so roughly as these hard-bitten farmers with their ancient theology and their inconveniently modern rifles.

Look at the map of South Africa, and there, in the very centre of the British possessions, like the stone in a peach, lies the great stretch of the two republics, a mighty domain for so small a people. How came they there? Who are these Teutonic folk who have burrowed so deeply into Africa? It is a twice-told tale, and yet it must be told once again if this story is to have even the most superficial of introductions. No one can know or appreciate the Boer who does not know his past, for he is what his past has made him.

It was about the time when Oliver Cromwell was at his zenith -- in 1652, to be pedantically accurate -- that the Dutch made their first lodgment at the Cape of Good Hope. The Portuguese had been there before them, but, repelled by the evil weather, and lured forwards by rumours of gold, they had passed the true seat of empire and had voyaged further to settle along the eastern coast. Some gold there was, but not much, and the Portuguese settlements have never been sources of wealth to the mother country, and never will be until the day when Great Britain signs her huge cheque for Delagoa Bay. The coast upon which they settled reeked with malaria. A hundred miles of poisonous marsh separated it from the healthy inland plateau. For centuries these pioneers of South African colonisation strove to obtain some further footing, but save along the courses of the rivers they made little progress. Fierce natives and an enervating climate barred their way.

Download The Great Boer War Now! ... Read more

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During the course of the war some sixteen Editions of this work have appeared, each of which was, I hope, a little more full and accurate than that which preceded it. I may fairly claim, however, that the absolute mistakes made have been few in number, and that I have never had occasion to reverse, and seldom to modify, the judgments which I have formed.
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During the course of the war some sixteen Editions of this work have appeared, each of which was, I hope, a little more full and accurate than that which preceded it. I may fairly claim, however, that the absolute mistakes made have been few in number, and that I have never had occasion to reverse, and seldom to modify, the judgments which I have formed.
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During the course of the war some sixteen Editions of this work have appeared, each of which was, I hope, a little more full and accurate than that which preceded it. I may fairly claim, however, that the absolute mistakes made have been few in number, and that I have never had occasion to reverse, and seldom to modify, the judgments which I have formed.
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“…your manuscript is outstanding. In fact I even described it as a classic - and it has been so well written.”Barry Streek

This is a novel of youthful idealism, courage, rebellion and foolhardiness. It tells of a time and people who, driven by a common ambition, shared hardships, loyalty, perseverance and deep affection.

The story is based on the recently released reminiscences of John Maher of Skibereen, Co Cork who, as a young man living in Ireland at the turn of the 20th century, joined with the Boer forces in South Africa to fight British Imperialism in a war which came to be known as the Anglo-Boer War.

The novel details John Maher’s arrival in the Cape, his journey to the Free State, his enrolling with the Boer Forces under the assumed name of John Mayer. It recounts his part in the set piece phase of the war, his switching to the command of General Jan Smuts, and his joining the invasion of the Cape Colony during the guerrilla phase of the conflict. Later he joined with General Durand for the incursion into the North West Cape where, in the midst of the brutality of war, he formed a close relationship with one of his companions whom, he discovered, was a young woman, living and fighting as a man. Finally, it recounts how, as an old man living in Ireland and, during a visit to the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam, he came across artifacts from South Africa which persuaded him to place on written record details of his sojourn with the Boer Forces and its attendant travails, joys and disappointments. ... Read more