Author: Antonio Garcia

Antonio Garcia, is a civil servant, who additionally holds non-resident positions as a research fellow at Stellenbosch University, visiting lecturer at Durham University, and tutor at the Open University. As a combat engineer in the SANDF, Antonio has served in missions in the Sudan, the DRC, and South Africa and its borders. He has published widely on military history and strategy.
News Past, Present & Future Stories The War Diaries

Herodotus vs. Thucydides:  An Ancient Battle for Historical Method

Herodotus and Thucydides are often seen as the two foundational historians of ancient Greece, and their differing approaches to the writing of history have been the subject of much scholarly debate.

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Past, Present & Future The War Diaries

Statues and Historical Memory (II): The Evolving Monumental War

In parks, and city squares, monuments stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time. They represent a moment in which they didn’t yet live, and in most cases they embody memories of the past. Yet, in recent years, these statues have become anything but silent, sparking protests, debates, and even violence. From the Confederate […]

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News Past, Present & Future Stories The War Diaries

Statues and Historical Memory (I): The Evolving Monumental War from Bulgaria to South Africa

The role of monuments in shaping collective memory can be divisive, particularly when those monuments represent a controversial or painful past. Across the globe, such statues become flashpoints in the struggle to reconcile historical legacy with modern values. 

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Past, Present & Future The War Diaries

Reminiscences From a War Zone

I decided to keep a diary today. It’s difficult to understand people sometimes, and God knows that we can only begin to forgive once we understand the causes behind someone’s actions. All I know is that if it hadn’t been for our local expert—a community liaison and explosive ordnance specialist—we would have been finished. As I write this, I want to acknowledge that I don’t fully understand what qualifies as a diary, so maybe this isn’t a diary entry but rather a note. I just need something to help me remember in the future.

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News Stories

Books: The Spioenkop Campaign by Robert Davidson

The Spioenkop Campaign, published by Helion as part of the ‘From Musket to Maxim 1815-1914’ series in 2023, is a new and important addition to South African historiography, providing a detailed and engaging account of key battles in the Anglo-Boer War.

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