Jonathan Ball Publishers presents the definitive account of Commando: A Boer Journal of the Anglo-Boer War, published as Deneys Reitz first wrote it in the English translation; edited and annotated by historian and Anglo-Boer War expert Professor Fransjohan Pretorius.

In 1899, Deneys Reitz, then aged 17, enlisted in the Boer army to fight the British. He had learnt to ride, shoot and swim almost as soon as he could walk. He made full use of these skills and the endurance he had acquired in the next three years of the war, during which he fought with the Boer commandos.

He was involved in major actions, like the battle of Spioen Kop, and he interacted with prolific political and military figures of the time, such as President Paul Kruger, Boer generals Piet Joubert, Louis Botha, Koos de la Rey, Christiaan Beyers, Jan Smuts and British commander Lord Kitchener. He even met the young Winston Churchill as a prisoner-of-war in Pretoria.

Reitz forged a strong personal and political friendship with General Jan Smuts after the war, built on reciprocal respect.

Commando is more than a historical document; it is a literary masterpiece that transcends time. With prose that captures both the brutality and the beauty of war, Reitz weaves a narrative that resonates with authenticity and passion.

As relevant today as when it was first penned, Commando has become a South African classic and stands as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

About the author

Deneys Reitz (1882–1944) was a Boer soldier, lawyer, author and politician.

Foreword and annotations by: Prof. Fransjohan Pretorius, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Pretoria, and the author or editor of eight books on the Anglo-Boer War. His book Commando: Life During the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 received several awards, and the English translation was runner-up for the Sunday Times Alan Paton Prize. He is also the author of the bestseller Verskroeide Aarde, which was based on a popular television documentary.

Categories Non-fiction South Africa

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