Against The Grain [Paperback]

Geoffrey Nyarota (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

Geoffrey Nyarota was the editor of the Daily News, Zimbabwe’s only independent newspaper, for four years. In this time, he chronicled the decline of the country under Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF-controlled regime. As a young man, Nyarota fervently believed that his children would know the freedom of democracy that he himself had been denied in colonial Rhodesia before Mugabe became independent Zimbabwe’s first head of state in 1980. But when he discovered that the returned war heroes were more interested in enriching themselves than in uplifting the poverty-stricken millions, he unflinchingly began to expose the wholesale corruption and greed, nepotism and fraud perpetrated by the Mugabe government. It took state-planted bombs, torture and intimidation, costly legal fees and, finally, a contract on Nyarota’s life before he fled his homeland at the beginning of 2003 to go into exile.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Geoffrey Nyarota, founder and former editor in chief of "The Daily News" in Zimbabwe, was awarded the World Association of Newspapers 2002 Golden Pen of Freedom in recognition of his outstanding service to the cause of press freedom in the face of constant persecution. He has recently served as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and has been awarded with the Percy Qoboza Foreign Journalist Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, USA (1989 and 2003) and the prestigious Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Award - UNESCO (2002).

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Struik Publishers (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1770071121
• ISBN-13: 978-1770071124
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #734,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > History > Africa > Zimbabwe

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting autobiography by Zimbabwes premier journalist and fearless Editor, March 19, 2007

By 

S. C. Chimbira "Shonagh" (Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Against The Grain (Paperback)

Geoffrey Nyarota started off his career as a teacher in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe in the 1970's. He describes firsthand the brutalities civilians endured and those he himself experienced at the hands of both the security forces of Ian Smiths government and ZANLA guerrillas fighting in the area where he taught. The intensification of the war forced the closure of many schools resulting in him embarking into a career in journalism. Having the unique experience of being a black journalist in the white dominated media of Rhodesia provided him with the necessary experience and qualifications allowing him to rise to the top of his field post-independence with postings as Editor of the Manica Post and most notoriously the Chronicle of Bulawayo. He gives insight into the extremely difficult situation he found himself in as Editor of the Bulawayo Chronicle during the Gukurahundi massacres, facing the dilemma of risking personal safety and telling the public a story that needed to be heard. As a youth growing up in Zimbabwe in the 1980's I personally feel one of Mr Nyarotas greatest achievements was his exposure of corruption in Robert Mugabe's government through the Willowgate car scandal and resultant Sandura Commision. An extremely brave act fuelled by his belief in freedom of the press and his uncompromising tenacity in pursuit of the truth, these unfortunately were not seen as admirable qualities by his superiors and cost him his job as Editor.
Mr Nyarota continued in his fight to expose corruption and fraud as founding editor of the Daily News, an independent newspaper and a breath of fresh air to us Zimbabweans for years force fed government propaganda through the state controlled media. The odds were stacked heavily against the Daily news however it persevered and won a few battles but unfortunately the Government won the war forcing closure of the paper and Mr Nyarota into exile.
The book is unique in that although autobiographical, it covers important periods of Zimbabwean history by a resident Zimbabwean, most recent works charting the rise and decline of Zimbabwe have been penned by non-blacks and foreigners. He follows the transformation of notorious Zimbabwean politicians and military figures from their student and liberation war days to their rapid accumulation of wealth and power post-independence. He gives recognition to Zimbabwean heroes snubbed and forgotten after having fallen out of favor with ZANU PF such as Dzinashe Machingura and Willie Musarurwa to name a few. Unfortunately his accounts are not always chronological and at times he digresses, however his experiences of Zimbabwean politics, politicians and society coupled with his good sense of humor make the book in general very interesting to read.
Very importantly, he highlights the grave dangers African journalists and their families risk in pursuit of the truth, the repercussions being more harsh and brutal than western journalists protected by their respective governments.
My hope is that his story does not end here and that he will return home soon to continue uncovering the truth.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Journalist, June 12, 2007

By 

J. Markram "Sunshine Girl" (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Against The Grain (Paperback)

Geoffrey Nyarota is an unbelievably experienced man. His stories bring shivers down your back and tears to your eyes. He has been through more than most people can imagine. His artful language skills portray a wistful look at Zimbabwe, where this man longs for the country he loves.

Beautifully written, brutally honest...
6 stars out of 5.