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A celebration of the rich diversity and beauty of indigenous trees.

"The Ways and Wonders of South African Trees" uncovers the fascinating world of trees and how they function. Presented in two parts, the first explores the physiology and behaviour of trees and the second the grandeur of a select number of species, richly supported by photographs.

In Part One, a detailed introduction focuses on the complex life of trees, uncovering how they grow, compete for water, defend themselves and make use of photosynthesis to survive, and the symbiotic relationship they have with each other and other species. Record-breakers such as the oldest, tallest and largest trees are also featured.

Part Two showcases some 150 conspicuous species, including the iconic baobab, sausage tree and mopane tree, as well as lesser-known but interesting trees such as baboon's breakfast. These accounts describe their unique traits and their different parts and discuss how they are used by animals, birds and humans.

Bigger, better, and with many added features, this well-loved guide is more indispensable in the field than ever.

Southern Africa has a rich variety of tree species, with an estimated 2 100 indigenous species and more than 100 naturalized aliens. "Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa" describes and illustrates more than 1 000 of these, focusing on the most common and those most likely to be encountered.

This new edition of the region's best-selling tree guide offers:
• A new 87-page section of full-tree photographs
• Comprehensively revised and updated text
• Expanded coverage, now detailing even more of the region's trees
• Updated distribution maps
• Many new photographs to aid identification

Species are logically arranged in 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features, and each account is illustrated by full-colour photographs of the tree's diagnostic parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of the trees.

Fully revised and updated to reflect the most recent taxonomic changes, this long-awaited new edition of "Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa" feautres all of the region's 671 known butterfly species.

The species entries have been updated and expanded, and discuss identification, habits, flight periods, broods, typical habitat, distribution and larval food sources. An introductory section covers butterfly biology, classification, anatomy and behaviour.

Lavishly illustrated with full-colour photographs, a full two-thirds of the images have been replaced with new material. Male and female forms - where they differ - and upper- and undersides (where possible) are shown on pages facing the species descriptions. A simple numbering system between text and images ensures easy identification.

Additional features:
• Photographs of mostly live specimens in their habitat
• Colour-coding at subfamily level for ease of use
• Quick reference to butterfly groups on inside front cover
• Distribution maps for all species
• Up-to-date common names and alternative names provided

In this inspired account, nature writer Rupert Watson explores the life and times of the African baobab, from its origins to its present status on the continent and its future in a changing Africa. He effortlessly blends natural history and personal observation, sometimes drawing on extracts from the records of early explorers. There are intriguing accounts of the baobab's eccentric growth and reproductive habits, its present-day distribution, and its wide impact on everyday African life.

Through the institution of the Zulu monarchy, the distinguished historian John Laband has written a riveting account of the whole sweep of Zulu history. Shaka, Africa's most famous warrior-king, was the formidable, conquering founder of the Zulu kingdom. Two hundred years later, Goodwill Zwelithini, the current king, is a constitutional monarch with only informal political influence.

Beginning with the reign of Shaka, the book follows his successors - Dingane, Mpande and Cetshwayo - tracking their drive to power through assassination and civil war, and charting their resistance to colonialism. Although defeated in war, Cetshwayo and his heir, Dinzulu, struggled to retain something of their kingly authority during the brutal transition to full colonial control. Laband descibes how, in the oppressive century of colonial and apartheid rule, their successors - Solomon and Cyprian - strove to have their abolished royal status restored, and how Goodwill Zwelithini finally achieved this goal when the post-apartheid government recognised his royal rank once more.

"The Eight Zulu Kings" also places the Zulu kings in the context of other African monarchs and discusses their shared royal traditions and their common challenges. By bringing the personalities of the Zulu kings into focus, the book assesses how effectively, within the possibilities of his own era, each ruler dealt with the opportunities and threats of his reign.

Daar word bitsig na hulle as die "Stellenbosch Mafia" verwys en baie reken die klub van miljardêrs wat in en om dié Bolandse dorp woon, is die ergste voorbeeld van witmonopolitiekapitaal. Hul kritici kla oor hul invloed op die staat en die ekonomie, maar wie is hierdie groep ongelooflike ryk Afrikaanssprekende individue en hoeveel mag het hulle werklik?

Die skrywer en joernalis Pieter du Toit het ondersoek gaan instel op Stellenbosch, een van die welvarendste dorpe in die land, wat deur talle as 'n hoeksteen van die Afrikanerdom beskryf word. Hierdie dorp is immers die geboorteplek van talle Afrikanerintellektuele, politieke leiers, asook vele sakemanne en hul sakeryke.

Du Toit kyk krities na hierdie klub van miljardêrs: Wie is hulle en belangriker nog, hoe is hulle onderling verbind? Watter netwerke het ontstaan danksy gedeelde direksies, alliansies en familieverbintenisse? Hy bied 'n intieme blik op Johann Rupert se sakeryk en beskryf ook die opkoms van Markus Jooste en die impak wat die Steinhoff-skandaal op Stellenbosch gehad het.

Gedurende die Grensoorlog het die Spesiale Magte se 4 Verkenningsregiment tientalle klandestiene seewaartse operasies op vaartuie van die Suid-Afrikaanse Vloot uitgevoer. Van Cabinda in Angola tot Dar es Salaam in Tanzanië het hulle strategiese teikens soos oliedepots, vervoerinfrastraktuur en selfs Russiese skepe aangeval. Die bestaan van 4 Recce is grootliks geheim gehou, selfs binne die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag.

"Ystervuis uit die see" beskryf 50 operasies deur 4 Recce, ander Spesmagte-eenhede en die SA Vloot. Daaronder tel Operasie Kerlig (1981), waarin 'n operateur getref en ander beseer is in 'n aanval op 'n olieraffinadery in Luanda, en Operasie Argon (1985) toe kaptein Wynand du Toit in Angola gevange geneem is.

Die skrywers, wat self aan etlike van die operasies deelgeneem het, het ook toegang gekry tot uiters geheime dokumente wat intussen gedeklassifiseer is. Hul dramatiese vertellings wys hoe veelsydig en doeltreffend hierdie eilte-eenheid was.

Dié omvattende boek is 'n moet vir enigeen met 'n belangstelleng in die Spesmagte. Dit neem jou na die hart van die aksie, die adrenalien en vrees van seewaartse operasies.

Op 10 Junie 1980 gedurende 'n dag van bloedige gevegte onder die Angolese son is 13 lede van die Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag dood en etlike beseer toe 61 Gemeganiseerde Bataljon Groep Swapo-basisse as deel van Operasie Sceptic aangeval het.

Tweede luitenant Paul Louw het sy peleton in vier Ratels na die doelwit Smokeshell gelei. In die chaos wat gevolg het, is 12 dienspligtiges in sy peleton van 44 noodlottig gewond eb hy is self ook beseer. Een van sy troepe, die 18-jarige HP Ferreira, is met 'n 14,5 mm-masjiengeweer deur sy pelvis geskiet. Hy het wonderbaarlik oorleef.

Louw, nog met die bloed van sy manne aan sy klere, en 'n handjievol ander soldate het die aand deurgebring in 'n Ratel wat deur 'n RPG-vuurpyl getref is. Hulle was heeltemal afgesny van die res van die aanvalsgroep en het nie geweet of hulle die son sou sien opkom nie.

In "Bloedbroers" deel van die oorlewendes hul ervarings tydens die geveg by Smokeshell. Dit werp ook lig op wat met soldate gebeur nadat die laaste skote afgevuur is en volg die veterane toe hulle vier dekades na die operasie vir die eerste keer na die slagveld teruggekeer het.

Growing up in suburban Pretoria, Steve Joubert dreamed of a career as a pilot. After undergoing SAAF pilot training, a freak injury put an end to his hopes of flying jets. Instead he learned to fly the versatile Alouette helicopter.

He had barely qualified as a chopper pilot when he was sent to the Border, where he flew missions over Namibia and southern Angola to supply air cover to troops on the ground. As a gunship pilot, Steve saw some of the worst scenes of the war, often arriving first on the scene after a contact or landmine attack.

He also recalls the lighter moments of military life, as well as the thrill of flying. A born maverick, his lack of respect for authority often got him into trouble with his superiors.

His experience affected him deeply, and led him eventually to question his role in the war effort. As the Border War escalated, his disillusionment grew. This gripping memoir is a powerful plea for healing and understanding.

Met "Hoeksteen - Die verhaal van Rosh Pinah en sy kinders" word die ontstaansgeskiedenis van dié unieke myndorpie in die woestynlandskap binne die breër konteks van die historiese ontknoping van Namibië se staatkundige bedeling geskets.

Met herinneringe soos dié word 'n bepaalde tydperk uit die verlede voor die gees geroep. Die herinneringe gee insig ten opsigte van die herkoms en kultuur van die inwoners en hulle bydra tot die leefbaarmaking van hulle streek.

Dennis J. Alchin onthul en boekstaaf geskiedkundige gebeure wat nie alombekend is nie in 'n lekkerlees boek. Só skep hy'n kosbare erfstuk vir diegene wat deel was van die ontwikkelinge, asook 'n rigtingwyser vir dié wat nog kom en op die hoeksteen wat reeds gelê is, moet voortbou.

"They way I like to spend my summer holiday is in front of the TV, playing video games with the curtains closed and the light turned off. Unfortunately, Mom's idea of the perfect summer holiday is different from mine."

Greg's mom has a vision of "family togetherness" that really doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun.

But - there's a brand-new addition to the Heffley family to contend with and it looks like Greg might be outnumbered. It could be a real dog of a summer...

Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it's cracked up to be?

Suddenly, Greg is dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older. And after a big fight with his best friend, Rowley, it looks like Greg is going to have to face the "ugly truth" all by himself...

Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is he's innocent. Or at least sort of.

The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he's going to have to face the music, but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays?

Greg Heffley's on a losing streak. His best friend, Rowley Jefferson, has ditched him, and finding new friends in middle school is proving to be a tough task.

To change his fortunes, Greg decides to take a leap of faith and turn his decisions over to chance.

Will a roll of the dice turn things around, or is Greg's life destined to be just another hard-luck story?