Bitter Harvest: The Great Betrayal and the Dreadful Aftermath [Hardcover]

Ian Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

This book is the autobiography of Ian Smith, the last Prime Minister of Rhodesia. After discussing his early life, Smith tells how he sought to keep Rhodesia on a path to full democracy during the West's decolonization of Africa.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: John Blake; 2nd edition (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903402050
• ISBN-13: 978-1903402054
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > History > Africa > Zimbabwe

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, fascinating account, March 5, 2004

By 

Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bitter Harvest: The Great Betrayal and the Dreadful Aftermath (Hardcover)

Few books detail the truth about Mugabe's Zimbabwe and the virtual ethnic cleansing of minority communities. Smith, the last minority president of Zimbabwe(then rhodesia) tells the story behind the UDA and his fight for moderation. This excellent book is an insider look at Smith's own understanding of his country and the fate of his nation. Zimbabwe, once a net exporter of grain, is now on the brink of starvation. Smith's book is readable and sheds light on what has been proven by history, the terrible suffering of Zimbabwe's people under the near-fascist dictatorship of Mugabe.

Seth J. Frantzman

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Betrayal, January 10, 2003

By 

Cecil (North America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bitter Harvest: The Great Betrayal and the Dreadful Aftermath (Hardcover)

Truely the greatest betrayal of a nation by the Western Democratic countries under the influence of the Organisation of African Unity. This book besides being a great read, depicts the struggle of a nation coming to grips with a change in British foreign policy. This change strikes the beginning of the end of a democratic and economically prosperous country. The sad reality of this book is that all of the Rhodesian peoples worst fears have today come true. Ian Smith lays the facts straight. A true leader, and a hard to find honest politician struggling against innumerable odds to keep Rhodesia alive. Unfortunately in the end it was not to be and the now Zimbabwe is a single party dictatorship with horrendous human rights violations, collapsed economy, and a starving people.

If you have any interest in the politics of Southern Africa during the end of British colonialism, this book is for you.

38 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ian Smith is spot on, November 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bitter Harvest: The Great Betrayal and the Dreadful Aftermath (Hardcover)

Ian Smith was a man ahead of his times. His view of the inept leadership that Africans have offered their continent is correct.

It's too bad that inevitably down the road the so called "rich countries" will have to bail that country, with or without Magabe.

We shouldn't help. Let them lie in the bed they have made.