Race and Diplomacy in Zimbabwe

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'Scarnecchia offers us a gripping tale of the international relations of Zimbabwean decolonization. Peering through the eyes of diplomats, regional leaders and 'odd informants' he shows how their visions of Cold War tensions, race and ethnicity distorted what they saw and how they intervened - and helped lay the groundwork for the terrible state violence of post-war Zimbabwe.' Jocelyn Alexander, University of Oxford 'Scarnecchia has written a book of extraordinary breadth and detail. His vivid stories of the multi-level diplomacy conducted by a huge cast of international actors - with all their fumbles, missteps and triumphs - explain the profoundly messy process that led to Zimbabwe's independence. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in international relations, race and state-making in Africa.' Julia Gallagher, SOAS University of London 'Based on unusually rich primary sources, this is a lively chronicle of the Rhodesia-to-Zimbabwe saga, over the longer run of some twenty-five years. The two great themes are the rivalries between and within the Zimbabwean liberation movements and the impact of global Cold War competition. Best of all, this is diplomatic history with the flesh-and-blood left in--giants like Mugabe and Nkomo, as well as a host of lesser figures, emerge vividly.' Kenneth Vickery, North Carolina State University '[An] important contribution to African diplomatic history ... Recommended.' J. M. Rich, Choice