In London in 1900, the upper class Emily Hobhouse heard that women and children caught in the Boer War were having a difficult time. Concerned, she went to South Africa to investigate and assist. She threaded her way through the conflict, all on her own and undaunted by the danger, discomfort and considerable difficulties. What she found was very disturbing. But her government did not want her to tell anyone. They did not want the world to know what they were doing. This book tells the remarkable story of a courageous woman who, in a dark moment in British history, confronted the leaders of her nation - military, political and administrative - to uphold the values we all cherish. Her courageous and committed work would be acclaimed around the world if she were alive today. Carefully researched and beautifully written, this thought-provoking book has been highly commended.

The Compassionate Englishwoman: Emily Hobhouse in the Boer War

Biographies & Memoirs

Eales, Robert

Historical

Middle Harbour Press Pty Ltd

<p>In 1899 the South African War (also known as the Anglo-Boer War) broke out. As the war progressed, in London the upper-class Emily Hobhouse learned of the camps in southern Africa that contained mostly Boer women and children who had been displaced by the hostilities. By herself and on her own initiative, she travelled by ship to Cape Town, to begin the distribution of aid to these camps. Historian Rob Eales has put together this narrative of her time in South Africa, based on letters and diaries she left behind.These reveal that she travelled thousands of kilometres through the war and was appalled by the British army's tactic of clearing the land and herding hundreds of thousands of people into concentration camps, where the awful conditions put the lives of these 'refugees' at risk. She urged the local authorities to provide better care and support, but little changed. So she returned to Britain to plead that immediate action be taken. She was met by indifference from the government and vitriol from the press.This remarkable woman was on the wrong side of history. Her heroic mission could unwittingly have brought down the British government, and her story was smothered. In this book, through careful research, her courageous and inspirational work is once again brought to life.</p>

Community & Culture

University of Cape Town Press

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Books by Eales, Robert

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Eales, Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Compassionate Englishwoman: Emily Hobhouse in the Boer War

The Compassionate Englishwoman: Emily Hobhouse in the Boer War