On the Veldt: A Plain Narrative of Service Afield in South Africa by R.C. Lewis, with illustrations by Frank Morton(Pranava Books edition, reference LZ256128) is a faithful modern facsimile reprint of an early twentieth-century South African military memoir. Produced by Pranava Books, a publisher recognised for preserving scarce and historically important texts, this edition reproduces the original work in its entirety, retaining both the period language and the illustrative material without modern alteration. As is typical of Pranava Books editions, no new publication date is stated.
Unlike fictional adventure stories suggested by its title, On the Veldt: A Plain Narrative of Service Afield in South Africa is a sober, first-hand account rooted in lived experience. R.C. Lewis presents an unembellished record of service in the South African interior, focusing on daily routines, movement across the veld, military conditions, and the realities of campaigning in a harsh and demanding environment. The tone is practical and observant, offering readers insight into field service rather than dramatized warfare, and reflecting the author’s intention to document events plainly and accurately.
The South African veld features prominently throughout the narrative, shaping both the logistical challenges and the personal experiences described in the text. Lewis’s observations of terrain, climate, and distance convey the physical and mental demands of service afield, while also providing valuable contextual detail for readers interested in military history and colonial-era campaigning in southern Africa. The work functions equally as a personal record and as a documentary source.
Illustrations by Frank Morton enhance the narrative, providing period visual interpretations that reinforce the authenticity and atmosphere of the text. Carefully reproduced in this Pranava Books edition, they contribute to the historical character of the volume.
On the Veldt: A Plain Narrative of Service Afield in South Africa is well suited to collectors of Africana, military history readers, and those interested in firsthand accounts of service in South Africa. This Pranava Books facsimile offers a durable and accessible way to engage with an otherwise scarce historical work.
Condition: Good – Insect damage affecting the corners of pages 1 – 13. Curling of paperback cover. Laminate on cover peeling in two places.
