"In a lively, clear, and encyclopedic narrative, Lodge (Witwatersrand Univ., Johannesburg) describes and analyzes just about every major theme in the contemporary politics of South Africa. For a relatively short book (expanding an even shorter 1999 version), the range is astounding: from policy issues -- economic development, anticorruption measures, local government, and land reforms -- through governance, regional and municipal, to matters of who governs -- via parties and civic movements and, of course, leadership. The essays addressing the last-named topic compare the country's secular saint, Mandela, with the current technocratic President Mbeki. Lodge is supportive but skeptical of democracy's development to date, with patrimonialims, corruption, and airy official rhetoric still to be dealt with. Of particular value is his chapter review of the practices and consequences of the famous Truth and Reconciliation Commission, expatiating the thought that comparative international experience suggests that the South African TRC embodied a more ambitious form of official acknowledgement of wrongdoing than has been attempted elsewhere. With all that, the TRC has made a major contribution to legitimating the present government and established an international standard for accountability. Copious notes, bibliography, and comprehensive index.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." -- H. Glickman, emeritus, Haverford College, 2003oct CHOICE.