South Africa and the Transvaal War Vol. 2 - Detailed Historical

In this review of South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 2 of 6, the reviewer finds a focused, contemporaneous narrative valuable to readers seeking detailed military history from the outbreak of the conflict through the Battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899. This volume delivers firsthand-style reportage and evocative prose that help explain the mood and stakes of the early campaign. It is best for readers interested in primary-style accounts and period commentary rather than modern analysis, and it stands out for preserving the language and perspective of its time.

Key Features

• Period narrative: The book presents a near-contemporary account of events from the commencement of the war to the Battle of Colenso, which helps readers understand the flow of operations and public sentiment in late 1899.
• Literary passages: Excerpts show intense, descriptive prose that conveys emotional and moral reactions to the war, providing texture beyond dry timelines.
• Focused scope: Covering a single span of the conflict allows readers to follow developments in detail without jumping across unrelated campaigns.
• Classic reprint format: As a reprint, the volume preserves original wording and structure useful for historical research and citation.
• Compact series placement: Being Volume 2 of 6 signals continuity for collectors and scholars who want the full narrative across multiple volumes.

Who It's For

This volume is aimed at history readers, military historians, and collectors who appreciate period language and primary-style reportage of late 19th-century conflicts. Students working on the Anglo-Boer conflict or those compiling primary citations will find the preserved phrasing and sequence of events particularly useful.

Readers seeking modern synthesis, contemporary historiographical arguments, or richly annotated academic editions should look elsewhere; this reprint emphasizes the original voice over modern commentary or exhaustive footnoting.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Faithful reprint of original text preserves historical wording for accurate citation and study.
• Rich, evocative prose conveys the contemporary emotional and moral atmosphere around the Battle of Colenso.
• Concentrated coverage of a defined time period makes it easy to follow military developments across the early war.

Cons

• Limited modern annotation or analysis means readers expecting updated context will need supplemental sources.

Specifications

Title	South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 2 of 6
Subtitle	From the Commencement of the War to the Battle of Colenso, 15th Dec; 1899
Author	Louis Creswicke
Format	Classic reprint of original text
Series	Volume 2 of 6
Subject	History, Military, South African War

Our Verdict

For those who value contemporaneous accounts and original prose, this volume is a worthwhile addition to a history shelf; it preserves the voice and narrative of the period and offers concentrated coverage of events up to Colenso, though readers seeking modern interpretation should pair it with annotated histories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include modern notes or annotations?
No, this edition is presented as a classic reprint that preserves the original wording rather than adding modern annotation.

What period does Volume 2 cover?
It covers from the commencement of the war through the Battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899.

Is this suitable for academic citation?
Yes, as a reprint of original text it is useful for citation of primary-style passages, though researchers may supplement it with modern scholarship for context.