117 Days
An Account of Confinement and Interrogation Under the South African 90-Day Detention Law
Published on 26. May 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-14-310574-9 (ISBN)
Description
An unforgettable account of defiance against political terror by one of South Africa's pioneering anti-apartheid activists
An invaluable testimonial of the excesses of the apartheid system, 117 Days presents the harrowing chronicle of journalist Ruth First's isolation and abuse at the hands of South African interrogators after her arrest in 1963. Upon her arrest, she was detained in solitary confinement under South Africa's notorious ninety-day detention law. This is the story of the war of nerves that ensued between First and her Special Branch captors-a work that remains a classic portrait of oppression and the dignity of the human spirit.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
An invaluable testimonial of the excesses of the apartheid system, 117 Days presents the harrowing chronicle of journalist Ruth First's isolation and abuse at the hands of South African interrogators after her arrest in 1963. Upon her arrest, she was detained in solitary confinement under South Africa's notorious ninety-day detention law. This is the story of the war of nerves that ensued between First and her Special Branch captors-a work that remains a classic portrait of oppression and the dignity of the human spirit.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Penguin Putnam Inc
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
200 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-14-310574-9 (9780143105749)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Ruth First
117 Days
An Account of Confinement and Interrogation Under the South African 90-Day Detention Law
E-Book
05/2009
Penguin Classics
€7.99
Available for download
Previous edition
Es'Kia Mphahlele
In Corner B
Book
12/2006
Penguin Books (South Africa)
€32.37
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Ruth First (1925–1982) was a journalist, editor, activist and author whose leadership in the anti-apartheid movement put her in the sights of South Africa’s notoriously repressive law enforcement community. She left South Africa in March 1964 and published her record of the ordeal and played herself in the BBC production. She edited a collection of Nelson Mandela’s articles and speeches entitled No Easy Walk to Freedom. On August 17th, 1982, Ruth First was killed by a letter-bomb sent to her by the South African security police.
Angela Davis is Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz. She is the author of eight books. In 1970, she was placed on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list for her involvement in the campaign to free the Soledad Brothers.
Angela Davis is Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz. She is the author of eight books. In 1970, she was placed on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list for her involvement in the campaign to free the Soledad Brothers.