Veteran journalist Michael Schmidt explores of the dark corners of South Africa's past, tracing the strains of secrecy, violence, and abuse of privilege that reverberate even today in the country's deeply unequal society. The book is also a testament to Schmidt's career as a journalist: his uncompromising quest to uncover the truth in what he finds shines through on every page.
Michael Schmidt is a veteran investigative journalist with a reputation for producing unique and challenging copy. He is founder of the Professional Journalists' Association of South Africa.
"Now this is real journalism: informative, authoritative, properly contextualized, and exceptionally well written. Schmidt is a great storyteller with a keen eye for detail. The best 'reporter’s notebook' I’ve ever read." —Max du Preez, author of Pale Native
"This book is too serious to be called gonzo, but that's how it reads—a scary high-speed ride through the nightmares of recent South African history, with a nerveless, dead-eyed journalist at the wheel. Again and again, Schmidt reminds us that we have more conspiracies per capita than almost any other society on the planet—and that half of them are still out there in the dark, wailing for attention. This is not a book for sissies." —Rian Malan, author of My Traitor’s Heart
