Research Catalog

The opportunist : the political life of Oswald Pirow, 1915-1959

Title: The opportunist : the political life of Oswald Pirow, 1915-1959 / F.A. Mouton.
Author: Mouton, F. A.
Publication: Pretoria : Protea Book House, 2020.

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Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Request for On-site Use Request Scan How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	Text	Use in library	DT1927.P57 M68 2020	Off-site

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Details

Description

255 pages : illustrations, portraits; 22 cm

Summary

"The political life of Pirow is the story of a gifted person who through opportunism wrecked a promising career. Oswald Pirow (1890-1959) is very much part of the history of South Africa. He was the founder of South African Airways, leader of the fascist New Order movement and prosecuted Nelson Mandela in the Treason Trial. His appointment in 1929 as Minister of Justice at the age of 38 made him at that stage the youngest cabinet minister the country had ever had. He was a dynamic and innovative member of parliament, reviving and modernising the bankrupt railway system, and as the Minister of Defence he rebuilt the neglected Union Defence Force. Intelligent, charismatic and seen by some as a future prime minister, he met world leaders like Chamberlain, Hitler and Mussolini. Pirow's burning ambition to become prime minister was the underlying motive for his every political move and he was willing to take risks, such as his gamble on fascism, to satisfy his ambition. The author explores Pirow's career and his ability to adjust his sails to prevailing political winds."--Page 4 of cover

Alternative Title

Political life of Oswald Pirow, 1915-1959

Subject

Genre/Form

Biographies.

Bibliography (note)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-245) and index.

ISBN

9781485311690
1485311691

OCLC

1204260618
on1204260618

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library