Economically and demographically the city has expanded dramatically - from a port to a major industrial centre. Since 1994 it has also become one of the great tourist spots of the world, despite a relatively high crime rate. Social conditions and socio-cultural life is also covered by the authors. In the face of waves of grinding poverty, Cape Town has seen the growth since early in this century of welfare and charitable organisations, many of them the offshoot of late Victorian philanthropic ideals but increasingly in recent years community self-help schemes. The authors have put together a masterly synthesis without trivialising the serious academic material they have used.
Splendid illustrations make for an added delight, as do the excellent production values.
Cape Town in the 20th Century is a book to be read, displayed on one's coffee table, and re-read.