Page 87 - All About History - Issue 33-15

Reviews

AFTERNOON TEA:

A HISTORY AND GUIDE TO THE
GREAT EDWARDIAN TRADITION

Discover how tea became the quintessentially British drink
Author Vicky Straker Publisher Amberley Price £9.99 Released Out now

t’s undeniable that the afternoon cup, whether tradition among the most fortunate in society
it’s served in fragile china or a sturdy mug, to discuss gossip and business. Straker uncovers
is universally understood as a British staple. the domino effect of the cuppa in all areas, from
Enjoying a cuppa unifies our nation, but also trade, fashion, culinary traditions, and even
Icreates serious divides: milk before or after emancipation of the sexes.
water, sugar or no sugar, Yorkshire or PG Tips? Inspired, perhaps, by the recent surge in
Luckily, we don’t have to bear the weight interest in traditional British baking due to a
of the cultural associations of tea experienced little television baking competition, Straker has
during the Edwardian and Victorian periods. included a range of recipes and instructions on
Can you imagine having to change your dress how to serve tea for a proper afternoon tea party.
up to five times a day, and wearing a specific The recipes include classics like scones, tea cakes,
garment to pour and drink tea with your high and cucumber sandwiches, but also explain the
society friends? If you’re hoping to fit in with history and significance of dishes like Sally Lunns
the Edwardians and learn the proper teatime and pikelets. We have personally put these recipes
etiquette, Straker is here to help. She explains the to the test and can conclude that they are both
initial negative connotations associated with the informative and delicious. Now excuse us while
concept of afternoon tea as a lazy and gluttonous we return to stuffing Peach Melba in our corseted
pastime, and follows its rise to a significant torsos (just pray we don’t develop gallstones).

A HANDFUL OF HARD MEN

A comprehensive look at the battle for Rhodesia,
including detailed first-hand accounts from
members of the Rhodesian SAS

Author Hannes Wessels Publisher Casemate Price £19.99 Released Out now

hodesia survived as an independent country brilliantly throughout; the trials and tribulations
for only 90 years, but during much of this both him and his team endured are nothing short
time the world was at war. Throughout its of mind blowing, drinking their own urine and
history it remained ostracised, isolated and eating used tea bags to survive when resupply
Rlargely bereft of allies, not to mention a missions failed. Like many books of this genre,
considerable lack of military force. it’s impossible not to marvel at the bravery and
As communism grew in strength all over the determination of these soldiers – the term ‘hard
world, South Africa became a particularly high men’ fails to do them justice.
profile target for both Moscow and Beijing, as Captain Watt’s story is the highlight, but what
it possessed superb strategic value and hugely the author also excels in is the retelling of the
valuable resources. To get to South Africa, world governments’ involvement in Rhodesia’s
communist forces had to go through Rhodesia, demise. The White House, Whitehall, the Kremlin
but this tiny nation refused to buckle under global and Beijing all get a mention; it’s worth reading the
pressure, standing firm where most nations would book just to learn the part they played. In the end,
have fallen. A Handful Of Hard Men focuses on the Rhodesia was lost due to a lack of political know-
story of Captain Darrel Watt of the Rhodesian SAS, how rather than on the battlefield. Sadly, Captain
who spent 12 gruelling years battling tirelessly in Watt’s fight had been in vain, but at least he lived
the cauldron of war, resisting the forces of Robert to tell the tale and relay much of his story to the
Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo. His story is told author of this book.
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