Becoming Zimbabwe. A History from the Pre-colonial Period to 2008 [Paperback]

Brian Raftopoulos (Editor), Alois Mlambo (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1779220839 | ISBN-13: 978-1779220837 | Publication Date: August 1, 2009

Becoming Zimbabwe is the first comprehensive history of Zimbabwe, spanning the years from 850 to 2008. In 1997, the then Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Morgan Tsvangirai, expressed the need for a 'more open and critical process of writing history in Zimbabwe. ...The history of a nation-in-the-making should not be reduced to a selective heroic tradition, but should be a tolerant and continuing process of questioning and re-examination.' Becoming Zimbabwe tracks the idea of national belonging and citizenship and explores the nature of state rule, the changing contours of the political economy, and the regional and international dimensions of the country's history. In their Introduction, Brian Raftopoulos and Alois Mlambo enlarge on these themes, and Gerald Mazarire's opening chapter sets the pre-colonial background. Sabelo Ndlovu tracks the history up to WW11, and Alois Mlambo reviews developments in the settler economy and the emergence of nationalism leading to UDI in 1965. The politics and economics of the UDI period, and the subsequent war of liberation, are covered by Joesph Mtisi, Munyaradzi Nyakudya and Teresa Barnes. After independence in 1980, Zimbabwe enjoyed a period of buoyancy and hope. James Muzondidya's chapter details the transition 'from buoyancy to crisis', and Brian Raftopoulos concludes the book with an analysis of the decade-long crisis and the global political agreement which followed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Weaver Press (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1779220839
• ISBN-13: 978-1779220837
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,169,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, January 7, 2010

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Michael Fuchs-Carsch "mike f-c" (Sisters, OR) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Becoming Zimbabwe. A History from the Pre-colonial Period to 2008 (Paperback)

Serious scholar of Zimbabwe needs to read this one. Distinguished Zimbabwean scholars have taken a fresh look at history using an incredible array of new and old sources that reveal the causes of the most complex and long-standing humanitarian and human rights crises on the continent. This is essential reading to for the political scientist and diplomats who seek a deeper understanding of how national identity has been shaped and distorted to the detriment of its citizens.