The CityCenter Caper


Book Description

“It was 0310 hours, 3:10 a.m. civilian time, when the Colonel heard someone beginning to stage a pre-dawn assault on their hideout. He had heard them and god damn it, the sorry-ass excuses for sentries that were stationed in the derelict metal sheds around the missile launch silo, should have damn-well heard them too. Instead of the sounds of scorpions and rattle snakes that he was disturbing, scurrying around in the cool sand of the abandoned shed, over his shoulders and into the pockets of his fatigues, he should be hearing the sounds of the stolen Humvees being started up. After his men finished loading them with the military small arms weapons they had been stashing in some of the larger tin sheds that still had insulation on their inner walls and doors. The men had orders to only start the Humvee’s engines after first checking to ensure that they were muffled down as much as possible, so it was possible that the NCO’s in-charge were just being overly cautious. He imagined that the authority’s SWAT teams would head west on a more-or-less straight line toward the gang’s hideout. A determination of how the authorities had zeroed-in on the location of their hideout would be evaluated and dealt with later. He figured the cops would react as most infantry units would, Plan-A, backed-up by a team or so from the GCB, and the way the colonel’s luck was running, probably one or more FBI HRT teams. However, his team would be following Plan-B, to escape and evade, fleeing due south until they hit Highway 159 and following it until they hit Highway 160. There they would split up, the Green team; in their two-wheel capable vehicles, heading northwest as fast as they could go on the road until they got to Pahrump, Nevada, and Blue team; their four-wheelers would double back and ambush the cop’s Zebra team on its right flank, following which they would break off contact and retreat into the inhospitable badlands of the Red Rock Recreation Area.”




Cape Town


Book Description

With detailed city maps and plenty of relevant photographs, this is the perfect guide for navigating Cape Town's unique neighborhoods or exploring one of the surrounding wine estates for an afternoon of wine tasting and gourmet meals. The guidebook is also packed with recommendations for adventure activities, including practical advice on which route to ascend Table Mountain to the best destinations for riding an ostrich or cage diving with great white sharks. Along with insider tips and detailed coverage of Cape Town’s coastal cities and vibrant townships, accurate satellite-based maps and GPS coordinates are provided for every listing to make finding destinations as easy as possible.




Cape Town After Apartheid


Book Description

Reveals how liberal democracy and free-market economics reproduce the inequalities of apartheid in Cape Town, South Africa.




Cape Town Travel Guide


Book Description

Welcome to Cape Town, where the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean meets the rugged embrace of Table Mountain. In this picturesque city, every corner tells a story of resilience, diversity, and natural splendor. Before delving into the depths of its rich history and vibrant culture, let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer magnificence that is Cape Town. Nestled on the southwestern tip of Africa, Cape Town is a city like no other. Its unique geography, with Table Mountain towering over the skyline and the Cape of Good Hope marking the continent's southernmost point, has captivated travelers for centuries. The city's natural beauty is simply unparalleled, offering breathtaking views at every turn. But Cape Town is more than just a postcard-perfect destination. It's a melting pot of cultures, where the influences of African, European, and Asian heritage blend harmoniously. From the vibrant colors of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood to the rhythmic beats of township life, diversity is woven into the fabric of Cape Town's identity. As you embark on your journey through this captivating city, prepare to be enchanted by its people, its landscapes, and its stories. Whether you're exploring the historic streets of the city center, savoring local delicacies at bustling markets, or soaking up the sun on pristine beaches, Cape Town promises an experience that will stay with you forever.




Embodying Cape Town


Book Description

This book examines the reciprocity that exists between the body and the urban built environment. It will draw on archival and ethnographic research as well as an interdisciplinary literature on cultural materialism, semiotics, and aesthetics to challenge dualist interpretations of four different points of historical-material contact in Cape Town, South Africa. Each chapter attends to different groups, social practices, and historical periods, but all share the fundamental questions: how does material culture reflect the way social agents make meaning through bodily contact with urban built form, and how does such meaning challenge the ways bodies are objectified? Further, how can we make sense of the historical processes embedded in the objectification of bodies without treating the social and the material, the mental and the physical as separate realities?




Transforming Cape Town


Book Description

“An engaging, insightful and at times beautifully written account of post-apartheid transformation in the city of Cape Town. Besteman shows the continuing legacy of apartheid, racial segregation and poverty in South Africa as well as glimpses of new forms of cultural creativity and identity formation that are characterized by empathy, compassion, and hope. Transforming Cape Town deserves to be read by anthropologists and anyone interested in how people confront the challenges of racial exclusion and historical inequality, and how a few bold agents of transformation seek to create new social spaces to cross old barriers.”—Richard A. Wilson, author of The Politics of Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa “Cape Town and anthropology come alive in Besteman's work. Insightful, dynamic, and well-written, this book opens a 'space of trust' to understanding the pains and creative innovations of transition—of people, politics, and daily survival—in a new light.”—Carolyn Nordstrom, author of Global Outlaws and Shadows of War “Besteman navigates and illuminates post-apartheid Cape Town with uncommon skill. She brings to bear an anthropologist's training, a reporter's eye and ear for the choice remark, the telling detail and a candid sympathy for the disenfranchised, whose lot in South Africa has not necessarily improved under democracy. It's a distressing picture she draws: the persisting mutual ignorance, even reciprocal demonization, across old ethnic and racial lines, alongside the ongoing economic injustice. The revolution in South Africa has been a piecemeal affair, and Besteman's descriptions of the difficulties that even the best-intentioned individuals encounter as they struggle toward creating a general social transformation ring painfully true.”—William Finnegan, author of Crossing the Line, Dateline Soweto, A Complicated War, and Cold New World “Transforming Cape Town is a fascinating account of how people in this divided city engage with democracy, transformation, and the legacies and ongoing realities of radical inequalities. Through conversations with ordinary people, Besteman explores the ways in which apartheid's legacies continue to shape interactions both intimate and public. In doing so, she restores a sense of faith in anthropology as a tool for understanding and critiquing social worlds.”—Fiona Ross, author of Bearing Witness: Women and Truth and Reconciliation




South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland


Book Description

Explores the region's history, culture, and wildlife and offers advice on where to eat and stay and what to see.




OECD Territorial Reviews: Cape Town, South Africa 2008


Book Description

This report provides a platform for the development of a forward-looking, cross-cutting regional development strategy in Cape Town, South Africa and proposes new "second generation" governance reforms to consolidate previous achievements and respond to emerging obstacles.




Top 50 Best Things to do in Cape Town, South Africa


Book Description

Discover the wonders of Cape Town, South Africa, through this curated list of 50 must-do activities. Embark on an unforgettable journey that encompasses the city's diverse landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture, and tantalizing cuisine. With Table Mountain as its majestic backdrop, Cape Town beckons adventurers to hike to its summit for breathtaking views that stretch to the horizon. Explore the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a lush oasis showcasing the region's unique flora and providing a serene escape from the bustling city. Immerse yourself in Cape Town's storied past with visits to iconic landmarks such as Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. The Bo-Kaap neighborhood, famous for its colorful houses, offers a glimpse into Cape Town's multicultural heritage and Cape Malay traditions. Uncover the stories of forced removals at the District Six Museum, and delve into contemporary African art at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), housed within a repurposed silo. For nature enthusiasts, the Cape Peninsula presents a wealth of wonders. Journey to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where dramatic cliffs meet crashing waves, and encounter diverse wildlife. Get up close and personal with African penguins at Boulders Beach, or venture to Hout Bay for a thrilling seal snorkeling experience. Indulge your senses in the Cape Winelands, a region renowned for its vineyards and wine estates. Take leisurely drives through breathtaking landscapes, sip on exquisite wines, and savor delectable culinary pairings. No visit to Cape Town is complete without exploring the bustling V&A Waterfront, where world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment await. Discover hidden gems in vibrant neighborhoods like Woodstock and Long Street, where street art, boutique shops, and bustling markets abound. Seek out cultural experiences by embarking on township tours in Langa or Khayelitsha, or lose yourself in the rhythms of live jazz at the Crypt Jazz Restaurant. From exhilarating adventures to immersive cultural encounters, Cape Town offers a wealth of experiences that will leave a lasting impression. Let this list be your guide to unlocking the treasures of this vibrant city, where natural wonders, rich history, and warm hospitality converge to create an unforgettable journey.




Historic Cape May, New Jersey


Book Description

Cape May began as Cape May Island, where families journeyed to enjoy wide white beaches and gentle surf during the early nineteenth century. With the advent of steamships and railroads, the quiet village soon became America's first seaside resort town. Despite its charm and elegance, visitors slowed in the 1880s, as a series of mysterious fires claimed some of its most beloved structures. As the twentieth century dawned, Cape May's failure to modernize ultimately became its salvation. By the 1960s, visitors were once again flocking to this seaside destination to enjoy its quaint Victorian charm. Experience the elegant Chalfonte Hotel, stately Congress Hall and the classic Cape May Boardwalk with local historian Emil Salvini.