Although World War One did not bring Zeppelin airships to threaten South African skies, or invading foreign soldiers to march through its towns, its inhabitants were also drawn into one of the most bloody and shattering global conflicts of the 20th century. Renowned historian Bill Nasson explores how the complex dynamics of the crisis of war shaped the character of South African politics and the life of its fragmented and frequently turbulent society. His gripping account provides a vivid illustration of the richly varied manner in how the Union’s people understood the war, experienced its pressures, responded to its opportunities, and dealt with its burdens.