The mysterious FP correspondent “Mrs. Petticaras” has tossed a little grenade into camp.
The Jameson Raid was a pivotal moment in the history of South Africa, linking events from the Anglo-Boer War to the declaration of the Union of South Africa in 1910. For more than a century, the failed revolution has been interpreted through the lens of British imperialism, with responsibility laid at the feet of Cecil Rhodes. Yet, the raid was less a serious attempt to overthrow a Boer government than a wild adventure with transnational roots in American filibustering.
John Hays Hammond — ‘Cowboy Capitalist.’
In “The Cowboy Capitalist,” renowned South African historian Charles van Onselen challenges a historiography of over 120 years, locating the raid in American rather than British history and forcing us to rethink the histories of at least three nations. Through a close look at the little-remembered figure of John Hays Hammond, a confidant of both Rhodes and Jameson, he discovers the American Old West on the South African Highveld. This radical reinterpretation challenges the commonly held belief that the Jameson Raid was quintessentially British and, in doing so, drives splinters into our understanding of events as far forward as South Africa’s critical 1948 general election, with which the foundations of Grand Apartheid were laid.
Due out in April. This will be snapped up immediately, despite the $35 price tag (for the e-book too!). Yes, just take my money. Because, as “Mrs. Petticaras” well knows, I’ve got absolutely no resistance to a thesis like the raid was less a serious attempt to overthrow a Boer government than a wild adventure with transnational roots in American filibustering.
We’ll see if it lives up to its promise of driving splinters into our understanding of events. I’m always keen to experience that kind of historical blast effect. I’ll sure be finding out.
Breaker Morant says
I have never looked seriously for a book on him, as I have too many books in the TBR pile, but I have long wanted to read more on John Hays Hammond. This sounds like it will help fill the gap.
He and Frederick Russell Burnham were in business together.
From Wikipedia
>>>”in a field that covered just two square miles, over 150 wells from Union Oil were soon producing 37,000 barrels a day, with 10,000 barrels a day going to the Burnham Exploration Company, a syndicate formed in 1919 between Frederick Burnham, his son Roderick, John Hayes Hammond, and his son Harris Hammond.”<<<
JimC says
Yep. Hammond’s $$ kept Burnham afloat. Believe he also financed some of FRB’s work in Mexico.
Mrs. Petticaras says
Denyz Reitz ? >>>>>>>>>Martin Bossenbroek_The Boer War.
JimC says
In my Kindle queue.
Breaker Morant says
With the mysterious Mrs. Petticaras showing up, you kind of need to do a “Wind and the Lion” post.
JimC says
Right?
lane batot says
Damn right! Didn’t you do one awhile back? Heck, cain’t hurt to do another–“Mrs. Petticaras; we will meet again when we are like two golden clouds on the wind!”–by-the-by, just in case anyone was wondering if I was the mysterious Mrs. Petticaras, despite my recent quote from her I gave over on the RIR Shopping Post(it seemed like the most appropriate, totally inane thing to quote under the circumstances), she IS NOT me. Just so’s you’ll know…..
JimC says
Good to know. Haha! I did touch Wind & the Lion a while back, but I need little excuse to revisit…
Mrs.Petticaras says
Oh mister batot, you are a cunning linguist and a master debator.
JimC says
Easy there Mrs. P!
lane batot says
MRS. PETTICARAS! DO NOT call the Raisuli a dupe! Ner inny of them other things yer loodin’ to…….
John McCormack says
Gents, the handsome fellow pictured above is actually the on of the Cowboy Capitalist. He is, I think, John Hays Hammond, Junior. He did live in SA with his parents but was far too young to have been involved in the Jameson Raid. Senior is the fellow on the right here:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hammond_jr_hammond_sr_2.jpg
JHHammond, jr. was no slouch, though. He is known as the Father of Radio Control for good reason:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hays_Hammond_Jr.
JimC says
Thank you — I’ll correct the pic
Matthew says
Off topic, but there is an interesting article about man and nature on SOFREP
https://sofrep.com/99961/subject-to-nature/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sofrep+%28SOFREP%29
Mrs.Petticaras says
And in breaking news today, Woody Harrelson is going to portray Frank Hammer in “THE HIGHWAYMEN”.
JimC says
Woody Harrelson???
Mrs. Petticaras says
No actually he’s doing Manny Gault, Kevin Costner will be Frank.
JimC says
I will reserve judgement…
Matthew says
You know you could probably do a movie about any part of Frank Hamer’s life, but people keep coming back to Bonnie and Clyde.
victoriansword says
Here is another one for your reading list; “The Tartan Turban: In Search of Alexander Gardner” by John Keay (currently hardcover only in the US, available in paperback May 3). I am about 1/3 of the way through it and you’d love it. Alexander Gardner was a Scotsman who claimed to have been born in the frontier of Wisconsin to a Scottish father and a mother of Spanish descent, he traveled thoughout Central Asia getting into trouble and having adventures. He is almost certainly the inspiration for “The Man Who Would Be King” having himself journeyed through Kafiristan. Wikipedia has a decent summary of his life, but I recommend reading the book over anything published online about him!
JimC says
Calling Deuce Richardson!