7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bullets to Sanctions, March 10, 2009
The preceding reviews show the depth of the divide between truth and fiction. History and propaganda, right and left without regard in every instance to the lives which have been affected by the actions on both sides. Personally this book is a jewel if for no other reason, than the author makes the reader privy to thoughts, ideals and a perspective which is not fomented in fear, slanted by political ideology or in defense of racial or nationalistic purview. Unfortunately the only acceptable word or view of Mugabe and Zimbabwe seems to be the one which paints a picture of him as an unquestioned despot, driven by a maniacal urge to defy authority, and yet those who unequivocally support this position rarely bother to give so much as a cursory glance at the facts as they pertain to equal rights or equal treatment. There are more than enough right/west slanted books on Africa and Mugabe to fill a thousand libraries yet and still it bothers them to no end when a coherently crafted work such as this dares to challenge their childish world view. Mr. Horne's work is a well-balanced alternative to the mountain of biased writings which are out there.
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10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Pablum, August 12, 2005
This review is from: From the Barrel of a Gun: The United States and the War against Zimbabwe, 1965-1980 (Paperback)
Poorly researched, opinionated drivel that is liberally spiced with half-truths and falsehoods. The book is a disappointment to anyone having real knowledge of the subject matter.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Don't cry for me Zimbabwe, you wanted majority rule., June 18, 2011
This review is from: From the Barrel of a Gun: The United States and the War against Zimbabwe, 1965-1980 (Paperback)
This book basically is a condemnation of the European (White) people, specifically the Rhodesian and the white minority government which was led by Ian Smith, Rhodesia's prime minister.
The author's book looks in another direction when he describes the so-called "liberation" fighters of Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, giving the reader the view that they were somehow anything but the murderous butchers that they were/are.
The author leaves out the reality of just what has become of this once prosperous part of Africa (Rhodesia), once called the "breadbasket of Africa", now the disorganized, corrupt and starving black despot ruled nation of Zimbabwe, where sickness,starvation and death hangs over each and everyone of it's black citizens.
I lived in Rhodesia (1975) and saw for myself how the black Africans were treated. They were coming into Rhodesia,from all over southern Africa to work and live a rather good life under the white minority in charge of running the government.
While in Rhodesia I met a number of black Rhodesians who were quite prosperous and who had made quite a large amount of money , of course Mr.Horne makes little or no reference to the bulgenoning black middle class, which existed in Rhodesia, rather he harranges about mostly make believe "abuses" that needed to be addressed.
by guerrilla warfare and terrorism.
The author writes a very shallow and limited accont about the thousands of foreign volunteers, mostly ex-military, who came to Rhodesia, to fight the communist terrorist insurgency.
He does mention me by my full name and what he states in this book,relating to me, is factual, however he leaves an awful lot out with regarads to the foreign volunteer issue and there is no doubt in my mind that he should have researched this a lot more then he had.
I spoke with Mr.Horne, shortly after this book came out and he was somewhat surprised to hear from me, seeing as he wrote about me in his book.
I informed him that after my Rhodesian adventure, I had gone on to other parts of Africa, where I took part in an attempt to overthrow the military ruler of Togo (General Gnassingbe Eyadema), in 1977 and later on in 1979, I was captured in the Republic of Panama, attempting to overthrow the late Brigadier General Omar Torrijos and of my botched attempt in trying to assassinate his military intelligence chief Manuel Noriega (see "Panama-Echoes From A Revolution", Author House (2007).
I followed up my telephone call to the author, with an offer to give him a detailed account of many foreign volunteers, to include photos, etc. however Mr. Horne never contacted me about any of this.
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