London: Jonathan Cape, (1954) dj. Hardcover - An almost forgotten novel by South African author Altman, the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants, who was a was a fierce trade unionist and anti-apartheid activist. Based on her experiences working with the Springbok Legion, established to support ex-servicemen of color, men who returned from fighting in World War II only to encounter the 'disastrous effects of the Apartheid system on African men' it initially received positive critical reviews, but was removed from many South African bookstores after being called 'subversive.' Although not a member of the Communist Party, Altman was banned under the Suppression of Communism act, but in exile in England, she became general secretary of the International Defence and Aid Fund (IDAF) and was responsible for secretly funneling more than 50 million to anti-apartheid lawyers. She was also the "brains behind another intricate secret IDAF operation, sending yet more millions to the families of those in Robben Island and other prisons . . .She also ran an education programme for hundreds of Rhodesian blacks interned in camps. At the dinner to celebrate the success of the Lancaster House talks which led to independence, she was given the seat of honour next to Zimbabwe's president-to-be, Robert Mugabe. Half the first cabinet, at least, had 'Altman" degrees'." (Guardian) It was only the release of Mandela that her work became known. 206 pp.