2981 Mafeking: A Victorian Legend, by Brian Gardner (read 23 May 1997) The siege of Mafeking was relieved on May 17, 1900, and became immortal by reason of the riotous rejoicing which greeted news of the relief in England. Gardner is a popularizing but competent English author. I have read quite a bit on the Boer War and Baden-Powell, so the book never "caught me up." It makes Baden-Powell seem slightly ridiculous and he would not have liked the book at all. Gardner is easy to read but I cannot say this was a significant book. ( )