This book is obviously well-researched and draws upon the author's own experiences of growing up in, and ultimately fleeing, South Africa, among other sources. Its presentation is vibrant and vivid, and makes no apologies for the facts it presents, exposing the otherwise largely ignored filthy corners of what has been going on since the (much-needed) end of South African apartheid.

Where it fails to reach its potential is, I suspect, due to a lack of as much attention from editors as it deserves. Every book needs the polish of an experienced editor, and this one seems to have failed to receive that treatment. This is surely due, in large part, to the difficulties the author -- a political essayist of surpassing talent -- had getting it published. It had effectively been shut out of attention from major publishers, and ended up being published by a firm that seems to have lacked the resources to bring the production of this book to a more satisfactory conclusion. With the right editorial touches, it could have gentled some of its polemical tone from what is eminently appropriate to a brief essay, tightened up its structure, and smoothed out some of the phrasing. In all, as a fairly choosy reader with high standards, I still would have given it five stars if it had felt more finished in its published form.

It is certainly worth the read for the sometimes surprising information it contains. ( )