In 1980, Zimbabwe was the great hope of Africa, a place where blacks were supposed to realize their postcolonial destinies under the enlightened leadership of Robert Mugabe. But now the country formerly known as Rhodesia is an international basket case with a wrecked economy and a dim future. In this disturbing book by Martin Meredith, a British journalist with extensive experience in southern Africa, Mugabe transforms into a villain. "Year by year, he acquired ever greater power, ruling the country through a vast system of patronage, favoring loyal aides and cronies with government positions and contracts and ignoring the spreading blight of corruption," writes Meredith. "Power for Mugabe was not a means to an end, but the end itself." His reign has been so wretched, in fact, that some of the most sympathetic people in Our Votes, Our Guns are the white farmers who once supported apartheid-style rule but decided not to flee when Mugabe came to power. They were promised multiracial harmony; what they got instead was a racist dictator who thought nothing of using violence against them. Admirers of Philip Gourevitch--or, indeed, anyone with an interest in African politics--will appreciate Meredith's depressing but important story. --John Miller

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Robert Mugabe was once hailed around the world as a revolutionary hero. After a fierce civil war against white minority rule in Rhodesia, he emerged as the new leader of Zimbabwe, embracing the cause of reconciliation and racial harmony. Hopes were high that Mugabe had the intelligence, political savvy and idealistic vision to overcome the legacy of war and forge ahead with economic and social development. As Western governments lined up with promises of aid, Zimbabwe at independence in 1980 seemed destined for an era of peace and prosperity." "The honeymoon did not last long. Determined to gain total power through a one-party system, Mugabe unleashed a campaign of mass murder and terror against his political opponents in Matabeleland." Today Zimbabwe is a country beset by violence and lawlessness, regarded by the international community as a pariah state. Its economy is in tatters. Determined to stay in power, Mugabe has used armed gangs to crush political opposition, subverted the rule of law, undermined the judiciary, harassed the independent press and vilified the small white community.

SYNOPSIS

This is a paperbound edition of a 2002 book about which Book News wrote: A study in the decline of national idealism, this book tells of the current period of Zimbabwe's history, from decolonization and the civil war in Rhodesia to the murder of white farmers prior to the 2002 national election. Much of the story focuses on the life of one man—Robert Mugabe—who came to power in 1980, led the country through a long period of economic and social development, and became increasingly autocratic and corrupt in the process. Meredith is a former African correspondent for the London Observer and the Sunday Times. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Wall Street Journal

Meredith's concise and lucid [book] gives some answers [regarding Zimbabwe], in the shape of Mr. Mugabe's career and character.

The Nation

Fast paced and readable.

Booknews