Michael Cardo

Peter Brown, leader of South Africa's Liberal Party until its demise in 1968, is one of the unsung heroes of South Africa's struggle against apartheid in pursuit of non-racial democracy. In Opening Men's Eyes, author Michael Cardo tells the story of how a privileged youngster growing up in the all-white world of racially conservative Natal settler society had the scales of racial prejudice removed from his eyes and how he set about opening the eyes of his compatriots. Cardo brings to life Brown's friendships across the colour bar with the likes of Archie Gumede, later one of the founders of the United Democratic Front, and his close relationship with the celebrated novelist Alan Paton, author of Cry, The Beloved Country. The book provides the first documented history of the Liberal Party, and shows how it was radicalised under Brown's leadership. Opening Men's Eyes offers a fascinating sidelight on South Africa's political and intellectual history.