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Big Men, Little People: The Leaders Who Defined Africa

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This is an easy, enjoyable book of interviews with a number of leaders of African countries - leaders who came to power when their newly decolonised countries attained independence. Alec Russell, foreign correspondent for The Telegraph newspaper, had personal interviews with "Big Men" ranging from Dr Hastings Banda to Kenneth Kaunda, and the character of each comes through clearly in the book. The author's main assertion is that most African countries were decolonised too quickly, without enough preparation, that certain "Big Men" were thrust into or stole positions of power for themselves and could not be prised out of them. By drawing a portrait of each unique personality, he also writes the biography of a specific historic period - the "Big Man" era, when men used their charismatic power to become national leaders and, after a while, dictators. This book is a fascinating insight into the post-colonial, triumph of independence and its failures. The reader cannot help but be relieved that these men's era is over - that the "Big Men" themselves have almost all died or lost power, and that there is a move towards 'democracy' at the start of the new century.

THis is an enjoyable read. Informative as it is a good survey of post colonial leaders in Africa. Among those illustrated are Mandela, Neyere, Mobuto, Kenyatta and Eugene Terreblanche. He srveys different styles of leadership from the royal African kings to the dictators who defined the cold war in Africa. He also has a chapter on the white supremecist movement in South Africa. A good introduction to African leaders and politics.

A great read about the political system in much of Africa. Why are African countries failing, and the rest of the world is advancing. It is because of the horrible leadership of much of the African states. Russell details the misrule of Mobutu, Banda, Mugabe, Savambi,and Moi. South Africa under De Klerk and Mandela is an example to the rest of Africa, but even then the possibility exists that Africans may be disappointed by the eventual outcome. In ten more years, I would like to find what Russell says about the possibilities of Africa.