Book Reviews

Over the last decades, we have seen more than three dozen new infectious diseases appear, some of which could kill millions of people with one or two unlucky gene mutations or one or two unfavourable environmental changes. The risks of pandemics only increase as the human population grows; therefore to direct our future we should examine our past.

Epidemics and the Health of African Nations, explores Africa’s vulnerability to disease, and demonstrates that this disease occurs commonly because of political and economic influences. These factors also determine the way epidemics are managed and controlled.

In the past few years, so many scandals have rocked corporate South Africa that crises seem to be the norm rather than the exception. In the glare of the public eye, with cameras, microphones and cellphones in their face, many leaders who excel in organisations suddenly become scared, confused and can even appear shady.

South African business author and coach, Douglas Kruger, has written Virus-proof Your Small Business: 50 Ways to Survive the COVID-19 Crisis and the e-book is now available from Google Play and Snapplify. The book provides proactive tactics for small business owners to survive the challenges they might face during the current crisis and in the future.

At a time when millions are set to struggle with finances due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Legido’s new book is about to throw a vital financial lifeline. ‘Your Wealth Starts Here: The Great Book of Wholistic Wealth Secrets’ will help anyone build financial independence with practicality and tenacity, while re-contributing to society.

Managing Organisations During the COVID-19 Vortex is a comprehensive book to help leaders navigate their organisation through the coronavirus crisis. The book features highly-regarded experts and thought leaders and includes case study on Tencent Africa’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

The ancient Greeks trained in the nude in the gymnasium and also competed in the buff in the Olympic Games – they literally had skin in the game. The ancient Greek word for gymnasium – gumnasia – means to train naked. However, the ancient Greek gyms were not just for physical training but also had dedicated spaces for intellectual exercise, for philosophy, teaching and conversation.

With the reputation for developing training material that reduced the failure rate at the legal Bar examinations from 40% pre 2003, to less than 2% in 2011, CG Marnewick can be trusted to bring a highly valuable resource to the profession, giving civil and criminal litigators the skills to excel.

Eye on the Gold includes a superb history of the gold rush in South Africa, and the pivotal roles played by Cecil Rhodes, Joseph Robinson, John Hays Hammond, Britain, the Oppenheimers and Anglo-American in shaping the future of South Africa. And all the time, the sale of armaments, wars and associated corruption lurk.

A step-by-step, practical guide on how to purchase your first investment property, written in easy-to-understand, conversational language that explains complex concepts simply. Most people believe that property is a great investment, but that in order to get into property you need money, contacts and experience.