The hardcover edition, published in 2025, is now out of print. When Jan van Riebeeck was Governor of the Cape he granted land to the first Free Burghers along the banks of the Liesbeeck River (then called the Amstel). John Cornell traces the history of these farms, including Boscheuwel, San Souci, Kirstenbosch, The Vineyard, Newlands, Rustenberg, Welgelegen, Valkenburg, Groote Schuur and Den Uitwijk.