Book excerpt: My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War is Viljoen's firsthand experiences of The Second Boer War. Also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, this war was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the South African Republic and the Orange Free State) over the Empire's influence in Southern Africa from 1899 to 1902. Excerpt: "In offering my readers my reminiscences of the late War, I feel that it is necessary to ask their indulgence and to plead extenuating circumstances for many obvious shortcomings. It should be pointed out that the preparation of this work was attended with many difficulties and disabilities, of which the following were only a few:— (1) This is my first attempt at writing a book, and as a simple Afrikander I lay no claim to any literary ability."