Die Verkrampte Aanslag by J. H. P. Serfontein
Die Verkrampte Aanslag (First Edition in Original Dust Jacket)
A Contemporary Investigation of the Verkrampte Challenge within Afrikaner Nationalism and the National Party
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Die Verkrampte Aanslag
- Author: J. H. P. Serfontein
- Publisher: Human & Rousseau, Kaapstad en Pretoria
- Publication Date: 1970
- Edition Details: Eerste uitgawe (First Edition), 1970.
- Binding: Hardcover with dark blue cloth boards, issued in a printed dust jacket, red with black wavy stripes to the front panel.
- Physical Format: Octavo hardcover, Afrikaans text. Published in Kaapstad en Pretoria.
- Language: Afrikaans
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Good (G)
- Exterior / Boards: The boards are largely hidden beneath the dust jacket; dark blue cloth is visible at the top and bottom edges. The visible cloth is sound.
- Interior: The title page is clean and the paper is lightly toned. An ownership stamp appears on the front of the jacket.
- Provenance: Ownership stamp to the front of the dust jacket reading 'SJOERD BEUTE 27 SEP 1979'.
- The Dust Jacket: Present, printed in red with black wavy stripes to the front. Worn: chipped at the spine head and tail with a tear near the tail, edge wear and small nicks along the fore-edge, rubbing and light staining, and a tanned spine. Protected in a Mylar sleeve.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1970 by Human & Rousseau, Die Verkrampte Aanslag is J. H. P. Serfontein's account of the conservative (verkrampte) challenge within Afrikaner nationalism and the National Party. It examines right-wing intrigue in white South African politics up to 1970.
The book centres on the Hertzog group and its followers, who set up front organisations to undermine Prime Minister Vorster from within the party. They were later pushed out and formed the Herstigte Nasionale Party.
It is written from the perspective of a reform-minded (verligte) sympathiser, and has been cited by later scholars on the verligte-verkrampte split and the exclusion of the Hertzogites. It is a valuable contemporary source for students of Afrikaner politics in the Vorster era.
Author Profile: J. H. P. Serfontein
Jan Hendrik Philippus Serfontein was born in 1933 and worked as a political journalist, including for the Sunday Times. His private papers are held at the University of the Free State and include notes on the manuscript of this book.
He is also known for Brotherhood of Power, an exposé of the Afrikaner Broederbond, as well as Namibia? (1976) and Apartheid Change and the NG Kerk (1982).
Die Verkrampte Aanslag first edition · Serfontein Verkrampte Aanslag 1970 · verligte verkrampte Afrikaner politics · Herstigte Nasionale Party history · Hertzog group National Party book · Vorster era political book Afrikaans · J. H. P. Serfontein
