Rearguard: The Life and Times of Piet Uys - Ian Uys (Ian S. Uys)
Rearguard: The Life and Times of Piet Uys
An Authoritative Account of South Africa’s Border Frontiers and Commando Leaders
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Rearguard: The Life and Times of Piet Uys
- Author: Ian Uys (Ian S. Uys)
- Publisher: Fortress Publishers, Germiston / Knysna
- Publication Date: 1998
- ISBN-10: 0620231912
- ISBN-13: 9780620231916
- Edition Details: First Edition, Standard Softcover Release.
- Binding: Original publisher's premium illustrated card wrappers (trade paperback).
- Physical Format: Octavo (8vo), 213 pages. Comprehensively illustrated with rare historical photographs, genealogical lineages, maps, and family portraits.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Exterior / Wraps: The original illustrated card covers are exceptionally clean, bright, and flat. The spine is completely rigid, uncreased, and free of lean. Edges are sharp with only microscopic trace storage friction visible at the extreme corner tips, completely consistent with an unread, carefully preserved copy.
- Interior: The text block is tight, crisp, and robustly square. The internal pages, maps, and photo plates remain bright, clear, and immaculate. This used collectible book is completely free of any previous owner names, bookseller pencil markings, text highlighting, or dog-ears.
- The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1998, Rearguard: The Life and Times of Piet Uys stands as a monumental historical biography documenting one of South Africa's most legendary pioneering families. Written by acclaimed military historian Ian Uys, the narrative chronicles the extraordinary life of Pieter Lafras Uys (Piet Hlobane), tracking his family's deep-rooted impact from the Great Trek through to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
Uys expertly paints a vivid picture of the frontier conflicts, detailing how Piet Uys won the deep respect of British forces and led a courageous commando unit of burghers during the fateful Battle of Hlobane. Rich in genealogical detail and tactical breakdowns, this scarce collectible copy serves as both an intimate family chronicle and an invaluable reference work for serious collectors of Southern African militaria, Boer histories, and frontier conflicts.
Author Profile: Ian Uys
Ian S. Uys (b. 1942) is a highly respected South African military historian, biographer, and qualified accountant. A leading authority on South African heritage, he co-founded the Military Medal Society of South Africa and served as an influential committee member of the SA Military History Society.
Drawing on meticulous archival records and personal connections to historic military events, Uys has authored over twenty highly praised volumes, including seminal titles like Delville Wood, For Valour, and Bushmen Soldiers. His work is celebrated globally across platforms like AbeBooks and Goodreads for seamlessly marrying precise, technical tactical breakdowns with a deeply human, accessible narrative pace.
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