The Randlords: The Exploits & Exploitations of South Africa's Mining Magnates - Hardcover

The discovery of diamonds at Kimberley in 1871 and of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 led to the use of black laborers in the mines (and today's apartheid), the Boer War, and the development of South Africa as a wealthy nation. This popular economic history and collective biography concentrates on the achievements of Barney Barnato, Alfred Beit, Ernest Oppenheimer and other adventurers, promoters and financiers (referred to as Randlords), who, together with Cecil Rhodes, established the monopolistic De Beers Consolidated Mines. With the millions they made, these magnates participated in politics (Rhodes became prime minister of Cape Colony and tried to overthrow the Transvaal Republic), and some of them settled in Britain, where they became art collectors, philanthropists and country gentlemen. Wheatcroft's history is sound; but although he is good at depicting these colorful fortune-seekers and -makers, the book's abundance of detail may make it tedious going for casual readers. Wheatcroft is a London-based freelance journalist. Illustrations.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This journalistic account of the development of both diamond and gold mining in South Africa presents a history, in biographical form, of the mines. It is a fascinating description of ingenuity, hard work, and greed. The book also illuminates the political and racial picture of South Africa and shows how the antagonism between the Boer farmers and the Uitlanders who had come to mine gold led to increasingly violent confrontations and eventually to the Anglo-Boer War. Many types of racism are evident, from the extreme oppression of the black miners to the anti-Jewish sentiment against prosperous Jewish mine developers. Understanding this complex account is made easier thrugh biographical notes, a number of maps, extensive footnotes, and more than 40 illustrations. Though not easy reading, this will appeal to informed laypersons. Maidel Cason, Northwestern Univ. Lib . , Evanston, Ill .
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.