BOOK REVIEW | It’s Our Land You Want

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The never-ending struggle for land, cattle and power

By Robin Binckes


A history of South Africa from 1852 to 1918.

It’s Our Land You Want is the comprehensive sequel to the best seller Great Trek Uncut. This well researched, hard hitting and detailed account of our history covers the period of 1852 through to 1918 and highlights milestone events which affected all the different people of this country from the time of the four independent states through Union and beyond.

Wonderful stories illustrate some of the complexities of our society and show how difficult it was, and is, to mould a homogenous society out of our diverse cultures and people.

Every conflict in our history

Throughout the theme of the title re-occurs ‘It’s our land you want’, as the struggle for land, cattle and power characterises every conflict in our history. Whilst charting the unfolding history, wonderful stories make the book difficult to put down.

Stories which include Nongquase and the decimation of the Xhosa Nation; One President – two Countries; ‘Daar Kom die Alabama’; Moshesh and the Basuto Wars, The discovery of diamonds, The First South African War, the discovery of gold, the Jameson Raid; the Griqua Trek, the second South African War, the Bambatha Rebellion, the birth of the African National Congress and Nationalist Party, the Boer Rebellion, World War 1 including the Mendi and Delville Wood and many vivid stories which make this not only a comprehensive history book, but and entertaining and easy to read story which brings the people and events to life.

Binckes has written a marvellously chronological overview of our boiling pots and melting pots as they rubbed each other over the centuries. South Africa is a jigsaw puzzle, and someone has to open the box. The potential of the box lies in the remarkable details he has uncovered. A strongly recommended read to anyone who wants to understand our past and our future.

– Nick Binedell, Founder and Professor at Gordon Institute of Business Science

About the author

Robin Binckes was born in the Eastern Cape in 1941. He lives in Johannesburg and works as a tour guide with his company, Spear of the Nation.

He is the author of Great Trek Uncut, The escape from British rule: the Boer exodus from the Cape, Zulu Terror, The Mfecane holocaust, 1815-1840 and Vlakplaas, apartheid death squads, 1979-1994.


  • PUBLISHER | Spear of the Nation |
  • ISBN | 9781776344086 |
  • Recommended Retail Price | R420.00 |
  • Classification | History |



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