Nature's Gifts
Why we are the way we are
Wilmot James
The modern scientific discipline of genetics has, in recent years, helped us to understand the nature of humanity, both biologically and behaviourally. With examples from Africa, and especially South Africa, Wilmot James draws on established biological science to tell some compelling stories about the genome, why we have different skin colours, how blood tells a special story of human history, why the brain likes music, how smell works, the nature of rock art, why kids love bugs, and the teaching of evolution.Read more. |
Riding High
Horses, Humans and History in South Africa
Sandra Swart
The equine colonisers of southern Africa not only provided power and transportation to settlers (and later indigenous peoples) but also helped transform their new biophysical and social environments. On commando, as draft and transport animals, and finally as markers of social status, horses were key to these colonial economies, buttressing the socio-political order and inspiring contemporary imaginations. Riding High contemplates what a new kind of history that takes animals seriously might offer us. Read more. |
iKasi
The Moral Ecology of South Africa's Township Youth
Sharlene Swartz
IKasi examines how disenfranchised youth living in poverty think about morality. While being spared the Apartheid era struggle, these youth grew up in a township context of partial-parenting, partial-schooling, and in teh midst of rampant crime, violence and substance abuse. Through a detailed ethnographic study, Sharlene Swartz describes how a group of young people aged between 14 and 20 understand right and wrong, what rules govern tehir behaviour, and how they explain the gap between what they say is right and what they do in the moral sphere. Read more.
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Wits University Press at the Cape Town Book Fair!
Wits University Press will be present at this year's Cape Town Book Fair, 30 July - 2 August 2010. You can find us at Stand L16, and we have an exciting list of stimulating events.
What is slavery to me? launched in Newtown: A large crowd packed into Newtown's Xarra Bookstore to hear Pumla Dineo Gqola and guest speaker Nomboniso Gasa as Gqola's new book What is slavery to me? was launched.
Sunday Times long list announced: This past weekend, the Sunday Times announced the longlist for the Alan Paton Award, and the literary prize. Three Wits Press books made the list: Leonie Joubert's Invaded, David Everatt's The Origins of Non-Racialism, and Sara Baartman and the Hottentot Venus, by Clifton Crais and Pamela Scully.
Bushman Letters to be launched in Cape Town: Professor Pippa Skotnes of the Michaelis Art School at the University of Cape Town will join author Michael Wessels as guest speaker, as Wessels' new book Bushman Letters is launched at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town.
Caves of the Ape-Men published: Wits Press is pleased to announce the publication of Caves of the Ape-Men by Ron Clarke and Timothy Partridge, with contributions by Kathleen Kuman.
Wits Press in the World: We bring you news of Wits Press authors and the impact they're making in South Africa and beyond.
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