Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #631 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Guardian Unlimited Books of the Year
'A powerful, emotional and provoking travel book that should be read by everyone.'

The Times
'Heartbreaking...a family secret, history, autobiography and travelogue'

Seven Sunday Telegraph
'It's a well-told book, mingling as it does the personal with the wider political scene'

Customer Reviews

Honest, personal and moving
Peter Godwin has a fantastic personal story to tell, in a very entertaining and personable style. He grew up in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and this account covers his return to Zimbabwe when his father dies. The picture of life in modern Zimbabwe, and its massive failure politically and economically, is illustrated by personal observation, anecdotes and artfully interwoven historical detail. The book covers an unexpectedly wider field than Zimbabwe, however, including a background of the second world war and the Holocaust, and uncovering a tantalising family secret. Highly recommended.

A heart-rending look at Zimbabwe's decline and one family's place in Africa
Through his personal perspective as a white African who continues to love his continent, combined with sound journalistic observation, research and deep insight, Peter Godwin has painted a poignant, touching and shocking picture of the decline of a beautiful country blessed with natural resources to an impoverished, suppressed shadow of its former self. This excellent book affected me (another displaced white African) profoundly, even more so because Godwin added several layers to make this book more than just a simple snapshot of a country or even one family's history. Highly recommended -- not only for people with a connection to Africa, but for everyone who wishes to have a better understanding of the world we live in. Don't miss it.

Outstanding
Peter Godwin's latest book simply un-putdownable. It is exceptionally well-written and comes straight from the heart. His deeply personal memoir is told with total sincerity and not a trace of self-pity. The steady demise of Zimbabwe is profoundly disturbing and for myself, living in South Africa in these times, very poignant. The way he describes events that would be absurd anywhere else in the world is dead-on. He is obviously deeply passionate about his home country and his narrative is heart wrenching. Anyone living in Africa or interested in Africa should read this book - however be warned - it's not for the fainthearted. Thank you Peter for sharing this story, you have a true talent.