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The Great Betrayal: The Memoirs of Ian Douglas Smith Hardcover – January 1, 1997

by Ian Douglas Smith (Author)

4.6 62 ratings

Shipped from UK, please allow 10 to 21 business days for arrival. Very Good, signed book, A very good, clean and sound copy in black cloth boards with a very good dust jacket. xi, 418 p.,, ill., maps

Print length

418 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Blake Pub
Publication date

January 1, 1997
Dimensions

6.25 x 1.75 x 9.75 inches
ISBN-10

1857821769
ISBN-13

978-1857821765
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Smith, the white prime minister of Rhodesia who engineered the country's unilateral independence from Britain in 1965 and led resistance to the black majority until Zimbabwe was born of post-civil war negotiations in 1979, has written an unrepentant, heavily detailed account of his leadership. He proceeds from the posture that the black majority, significantly rooted in traditional culture, should be "gradually" brought up to "standards of Western civilization." He condemns outside countries that "arrogant[ly]" applied sanctions against Rhodesia and associates black opposition more with communism than nationalism. He claims that "our black people" had the best education, health, housing, services, etc. in Africa, not acknowledging the gap between white and black Rhodesia. He refers to black "terrorists" while downplaying the cruelties of Rhodesia's armed forces. Yet Smith makes some points. He offers inside details of negotiation, including pressure from South Africa. His title refers to the hypocrisy of the British Commonwealth, which imposed sanctions on Rhodesia while many of its other members were one-party states. And he reminds us that Zimbabwe's black-run Mugabe government has steadily flouted democracy. Photos not seen by PW.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blake Pub; First Edition (January 1, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 418 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1857821769
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1857821765
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.82 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.75 x 9.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,097,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #310 in Historical African Biographies (Books)
- #830 in African Politics
- #5,271 in Political Leader Biographies

Customer Reviews:
4.6 62 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

62 global ratings

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Dr. deez

Amazing

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2023

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The historical significance of this book can not be overstated.

2 people found this helpful

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Philip Dinanzio

An historical document

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2014

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This memoir records the recollection of Ian Smith, Prime Minister of the now lost Rhodesia. It documents the problems encountered by Rhodesia when she declared independence from Britain. Smith fought for a multi-racial, black majority led government (he knew it was inevitable), but was determined that it be fairly elected, without violent intimidation from terrorists.

This book documents what he considered betrayals by those who agreed to his proposals, but then reversed themselves in order tho appease the OAU.
You will be surprised by those he considered betrayers: Margaret Thatcher and Vorster's South Africa. Of course, there was Jimmy Carter and the previous Labour government.

Surprisingly, some of those who come off sympathetically and helpful were Henry Kissinger, President Ford and Andrew Young, whom Smith considered trustworthy and honest.

After seeing the shambles Zimbabwe has become, the book is almost prophetic.

A great piece of History.

14 people found this helpful

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G. B. Williams

Good book

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2014

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Totally readable, very believable. Good history of how the UK Governments of the time looked after their own interests and did not honour their word

7 people found this helpful

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Charles M. Romer

History more relevant today than when it was written

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2019

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An eye opening account of how a nation was utterly set adrift by worthless government elites. Thatcher comes off surprisingly naive in this account. Other players surprising good. Good job USA staging our independence in the 18th century! Well written, easy to follow. Very glad I was able to find this.

9 people found this helpful

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Lola

Very pleased !

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020

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I’m very happy with my purchase. I was skeptical of buying a used book, but it is in very good shape as advertised.

One person found this helpful

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Tom

History from all sides

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2017

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Knowledge is important and the learn from each side in history I find educating. Its funny to know that Ian Smith grew old and died in Harare with no security at all, zimbabweans of all backfounds respected him deeply while Mugabe could not move freely the past 15 years without the public would attack and kill him...

10 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Excellent copy of this work by Ian Smith

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018

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Excellent copy of this work by Ian Smith. If you want some real historical insight, read this first hand account.

2 people found this helpful

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Eric Louw

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2017

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Anyone interested in decolonization should read this.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Kunde

The Great Betrayal: The Memoirs of Ian Douglas Smith.

Reviewed in Germany on October 7, 2016

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Sehr gutes und informatives Buch für jeden der die heutige Sitaution in Afrika, insbesondere dem südlichen Afrika und Zimbabwe verstehen will.
Ein Mann der vorausgesagt hat, was passieren würde und damit Recht behalten hat.

Sollte Pflichtlektüre in den Schulen sein.

One person found this helpful

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Mr Peter A

History has shown how right Smith was in trying to implement his policies in what was a fantastic and economically prosperous co

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2016

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This book provides an interesting and accurate (in my opinion) account of events that took place in those difficult years. The deviousness of the British Government led by Wilson and the betrayal of of Rhodesia by the naive and despicable apartheid regime in South Africa is well documented. History has shown how right Smith was in trying to implement his policies in what was a fantastic and economically prosperous country, but he never had the luxury of time for these policies to be fulfilled. I would strongly recommend this book, if only to get the other side of the story in understanding the complexities that existed at this difficult time in the history of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe for people of all races that were living there.

9 people found this helpful

Uwe(RSA)

Politics

Reviewed in Germany on June 5, 2013

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A book worth reading, in order to understand African politics then and now! Times change, people don't!! A book which was recommended by former Pres. of RSA, Mr. PW Botha.

One person found this helpful

P. Brooks

Perfidious Albion

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2002

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As someone who has not got pretensions to writing a doctoral thesis about UDI from the distant safety of British Academia but who has smelt firsthand the burnt flesh of terrorism propagated against civilians, who has breathed the dust of African war, who has heard the whimpered mewling of deliberately mutilated babies, I wonder if many Westerners are left who yet have the moral courage to read such a book and reflect deeply upon the consequences.
This book reasonably accurately details the duplicity and self-serving actions of Western leadership in the 60's and 70's. Although the great betrayal of Rhodesians of all races by the West might seem a footnote in history, it is symptomatic of the moral rot now endemic at the top of the Western Establishment to this day. The barrage of false propaganda against, and cynical betrayal of, the Rhodesian peoples shows willingness for deliberate assault on happy and peaceful populations anywhere - just to enhance the selfish power interests of Western Politicians and Financiers. For those who are concerned for Britain in the 21st Century this is a worthwhile read. It demonstrates many truths and delivers many lessons of the evils our politicians do in our name.

37 people found this helpful

Yellow staining

Condition is not as was mentioned Very good - collectible

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2023

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The Great Betrayal: The Memoirs of Ian Douglas Smith Hardcover – January 1, 1997

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