Product Description

This penetrating, timely portrait of Robert Mugabe is the psychobiography of a man whose once brilliant career has ruined Zimbabwe and cast shame on the African continent. Heidi Holland's tireless investigation begins with her having dinner with Mugabe, the freedom fighter, and ends in a searching interview with Zimbabwe's president more than 30 years later. The author charts Mugabe's gradual self-destruction, and uncovers some of the most respectable international players in the Zimbabwe tragedy. Probing the mystery of Africa's loyalty to one of its worst dictators, Holland explores the contradictions that cloud the life of the man who had embodied a continent's promise.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29110 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
'By tracking down the key figures in Mugabe's life, Heidi Holland has come closer than anyone else to discovering what makes the old dictator tick' - David Blair, Daily Telegraph 'The most intimate portrait yet produced of Zimbabwe's clever but brutal leader' - Adam Roberts, The Economist

About the Author
Heidi Holland has been reporting from South Africa for 30 years. She has written extensively about the continent's liberation movements as well as its people, cities and belief systems for international media including the Guardian, the Sunday Times, the BBC and Nine Network in Australia. Her books include The Struggle: A History of the African National Congress, published in the week Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and a true crime investigation of racism in South Africa, The Colour of Murder.

Customer Reviews

Balanced account
This is a balanced account of Mugabe.It shows his good and bad sides and provides a possible explanation for his actions. I guess the most important thing is he is detached from the man on the street and the common Zimbabwean. He is definately not in touch with my generation of Zimbabweans.

Well researched and balanced book!!
This book is the only one I have read that analyses the life of Mugabe from an independent point of view. The research is balanced by taking the story from varying perspectives. The icing comes in that the subject is also interviewed to give a well-rounded analysis.
I would recommend this book to any one who seeks to understand the background behind Robert Mugabe's rise to and fall from glory.

Great praise for Holland
In this book, Holland records her travels from all over Zimbabwe (and the world), and interviews around a dozen people about Mugabe the boy, man and most recently, dictator. There is also a compelling interview with Mugabe himself, showing the lengths he'll go to to defend his policies.
Holland deserves loads of praise for this book, which comes up with reasons as to why Mugabe is the way he is. She completed this often dangerous task, and sheds new light on the African leader.
A great read, highly recommended.