COMRADES AND CANNIBALS IN OXFORD

21pp., paperback, Dik-Dik Editions, Cape Town, 2026 

An amusing essay by historian Bill Nasson about being present at a history conference in Oxford in 1987 where the attendeees were surprised to hear an academic from Papua New Guinea describe what had actually happened to Methodist missionary the Reverend Thomas Baker, who had disappeared without trace in 1867 while stationed in the Pacific.

Bill Nasson taught economic history and history at the University of Cape Town for many years before moving to Stellenbosch University where he retired as Distinguished Professor in History in 2018.  His books include The War for South Africa, Britannia’s Empire, Springboks on the Somme, South Africa at War, 1939–1945 and WWI and the People of South Africa.