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Host Dennis Leap continues discussing Part Two, “Into Africa,” of Candice Millard’s bestselling book, Hero of the Empire. Since Winston Churchill was not receiving any help from the British commander in chief to get to the front, he concocted a dangerous plan to get himself there via the Blood River.

Host Dennis Leap continues discussing Part Two: “Into Africa” of Candice Millard’s bestselling book, Hero of the Empire. Winston Churchill argues with Redvers Buller, British commander in chief in South Africa, to get the number and names of the British soldiers who died during the first weeks of the Boer War. Winston discovered that a close friend of his, Aylmer Haldane, was slain. Haldane was an aide-de-camp to Sir William Lockhart and was able to get Winston a position in India that put him in the dangerous battles. Winston needed a man like Haldane in South Africa, and he began his search for one.

Host Dennis Leap discusses Chapter 7, “The Blackest of All Days” in Part II, “Into Africa.” This chapter reveals that the famous British commanders over India, such as Penn Symons, believed the fight with the Boers would be easy. The journalist crew, which included Winston Churchill, was stunned when they arrived in South Africa to a sign that read “Boers Defeated, Three Battles, Penn Symons Killed.” In pages 74 and 75, we learn why Penn Symons died.

Host Dennis Leap finishes discussing Chapter 6, “We Have Gone Far Enough,” from Part II: “Into Africa.” Candice Millard gives the incredible history of the Boers who proved themselves to be superior warriors from the time they inhabited the Transvaal and the first Boer War with the British. The British received a humiliating loss at the battle of Majuba Hill. George White had told a friend before he left South Hampton: “I don’t believe there will be fighting of a serious kind.” While at Natal, White was not concerned about the tens of thousands of Boers surrounding him in every direction. By the time he moved to Ladysmith, White realized he had made a serious mistake.

Host Dennis Leap finishes the discussion for Chapter 5 of Part 2, “Send Her Victorious” and begins Chapter 6, “We Have Gone Far Enough.” Chapter 5 revealed the blasé attitude of the British to the coming war with the Boers, who weren’t considered warriors. Chapter 6, however, shows that the Boers were well prepared for the coming fight.