This account of the First Boer War of 1881-1881 shows how the British army was jolted out of its complacency by the effective fire and movement tactics of the Boers and the lethal effects of modern small arms. It emphasises the many divisive political, ideological, racial, social and economic tensions in 19th-century South Africa and more.

'John Laband is by far the most perceptive analyst of the wars in southern Africa in the 1870s and 1880s. The strength of The Transvaal Rebellion lies not only its thorough account of the battles themselves - which in itself is the best and most comprehensive available - but in his description of the mis-matched military cultures of the opponants, which saw one of the most experienced, succesful but essentially conventional armies in the world struggling against an egalitarian citizen militia with no tradition of military glory.' Ian Knight, author of The National Army Museum Book of the Zulu War

'A brilliant, moving narrative that captures the drama and tragedy of armed conflict against the stunning backdrop of the South Africa veldt. It tells us much about the nature of frontier warfare and the perennial clashes between ethnic nationalism and the interests of great powers.' Roger Sarty, Professor of History, Wilfrid Laurier University and previously Deputy Director, Canadian War Museum.

In December 1880 the Boers of the Transvaal in southern Africa rebelled against their British rulers. The resulting First Boer War of 1880-1881 demonstrated a major clash of cultures at military, political and ideological levels and provided the Victorian British army with its first shocking experience of modern warfare.