Moi: The Making of an African Statesman [Hardcover]

Andrew Morton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

This text traces the life and career of one of Africa's longest serving and most controversial leaders, Daniel arap Moi, President of Kenya. Andrew Morton seeks to challenge assumptions about a man routinely written off as a dictator.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the first authorized biography of President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya, British journalist Morton (Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words, S. & S., 1997) provides insights into the enigmatic character and political philosophy of one of Africa's longest-serving and most controversial leaders. The book is a conscious attempt to probe Moi's background and besmirched international reputation and present a more objective picture of the man and his times, from Kenya's colonial era to the struggle for independence. Morton asserts compellingly that "pragmatic nationalism, combined with his Christian morality and the tribal culture surrounding the chief, are key elements in understanding Moi as a person and also as a politician." His account is enhanced by excellent photographs. A remarkably rich and compelling read, particularly for students and scholars of African politics, history, and cultural studies. [Morton's next book will be Monica's Story, Monica Lewinsky's account of her relationship with President Clinton.AEd.]AEdward G. McCormack, Univ. of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Lib., Long Beac.
-AEdward G. McCormack, Univ. of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Lib., Long Beach
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Michael Omara (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854792539
• ISBN-13: 978-1854792532
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,909,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Embarassingly inaccurate!!!, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Moi: The Making of an African Statesman (Hardcover)

A badly written collection of lies and inaccurate facts put together and presented as a book. I totally agree with the reader from Oxford concerning the credibility of the author as well as the President. I was digusted with the account of Ouko's murder. The fact that Moi felt that it should be included in his biography already implicates some guilt. It is interesting how he lays blame on subjects who were very close to him, but have now passed away and cannot defend themselvs against such accusations.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Revealing, December 5, 1999

By 

Robert Kiragu (Los Angeles , CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moi: The Making of an African Statesman (Hardcover)

Isn't it amazing what truths an objective inquiry about a subject can reveal.It would have been very simple for Mr. Andrew Morton to jump onto the band wagon and join the endless line of people who believe that Moi in the devil incarnate. Instead his well researched book reveals a man who is grossly misunderstood by most. This book changed my opinion of a man I had come to loathe simply because it is easier to do so. True Moi has been a failure as far as his presidency is concerned, as dismal a failure as Kenyatta before him was, but we should not let that cloud our judgement of Moi the human being. I have no doubt that the task of running any country is difficult and mostly thankless, that is why I enjoyed this book so much because it reveals the character of a man who willingly took that job.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Picture Of Moi, March 13, 2002

By 

Zeberio Amwoma (St.Louis Park,Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moi: The Making of an African Statesman (Hardcover)

Andew Morton is a foreign journalist who has come to realize Moi's role in Kenya.The only true patriotic Kenyan I know is president Moi.A man who has tried to keep Kenya united despite the economic and tribal hardships.Many who pose to lead Kenya have not shown any national interests outside being president for the sake of it.Andrew has truely written of who Moi is and what Kenya leadership entails .Many in the West don,t exactly understand the intricacies of Kenyan cultures and behaviours.This book will stand the tests of history.It is a great book about a great leader.
Thanks
Zeberio Amwoma[Minnesota]