Sword in the Sand

By: Tafelberg

Type: Hardcover

Product Line: Historical Reference Books (Tafelberg)

Last Stocked on 6/21/2026

Product Info

Title
Sword in the Sand
Publisher
Category
Author
Johannes Meintjes
Publish Year
1969
Dimensions
5.5x8.5x.75"
NKG Part #
2148193365
Type

Description

What happened to Gideon Scheepers, the gallant twenty-three-year-old Boer fighter who was executed by a British firing squad some months before the Anglo-Boer War came to an end? Though nobody knows, since his body was never found, this young heliographer became an almost legendary figure in the South African history and his name sacred to many Afrikaners. As he was considered innocent and had become an idol because of his daring exploits in the Cape Colony, Scheepers’ execution caused a great outcry throughout the world.

Despite his tragic end and the public interest aroused by the secret and apparently clandestine circumstances of his death, very little is really known about his exact movements and experiences. As a result of this the author envisages Sword in the Sand not so much as a biography of Gideon Scheepers, “but rather a fragment of South African history centered around a key figure.”

Of special interest is, above all, the translation of Scheepers’ diary — notes written up to hours before his execution. The execution itself has now generally been condemned by Boer and Briton as a disgraceful act, but its consequences were more far-reaching than anyone could have foreseen at the time: Gideon Scheepers took his place in the martyrology of Afrikanerdom.

The Helpful Squire

*Try asking the Helpful Squire to talk like your favourite character. Remember you're chatting with an AI assistant. Verify the responses and don't share personal data. Acceptable Use Policy

since 1997

Why Buy, Sell, or Trade with Noble Knight?

  • Trusted tabletop retailer since 1997: Nearly 30 years serving gamers worldwide.
  • 300,000+ items in stock: New, used, and out-of-print games, books, and collectibles.
  • No phantom inventory: If it's listed as in stock, it's physically on our shelves in Fitchburg, WI and ready to ship.
  • Fast, reliable shipping: One-day shipping on most orders, Free USA shipping over $149, and flat-rate shipping of $9.95 on orders under $149.
  • International-friendly service: Discounted international shipping and support for foreign currency.
  • Sell your games to us with confidence: In store or by mail, we pay any shipping costs.
  • Learn more about Buy, Sell & Trade
gamers for gamers

Cataloged and Supported by Gamers

  • Every item professionally assessed and graded: Managed by our team of tabletop gamers.
  • Decades of experience: Nearly 30 years of buying, selling, and trading across all categories.
  • Sourced from the community: Much of our inventory comes directly from gamers through our Buy–Sell–Trade program.
  • Fair offers on collections of any size: From single items to large collections, new, used and rare items. Get a quote for your collection
  • Talk to a real gamer: Connect with our team at contact@nobleknight.mom to get advice, recommendations, and real insight from fellow gamers.
  • We speak tabletop: Knowledge you can rely on, from gamers who get it.
  • Ask us anything