The Great Betrayal

Book excerpt: Ian Smith, former president of Rhodesia, spares few of his opponents as heives a forthright account of one of Africa's most controversial politicalareers.;Smith details his boyhood in Southern Rhodesia, his enlistment intohe Royal Air Force and his active service during World War II. After the war,e joined the United Federal Party and initiated moves with various Britishovernments under Macmillian and Douglas-Home. This resulted in thenilateral Declaration of Independence, and then Britain led the world indopting sanctions against Rhodesia.;He also tells how the Britishovernment's poor handling of the Rhodesian situation led to unrest in therea which Henry Kissinger tried unsuccessfully to quell. Eventually theirst majority elections were held, the results of which Margaret Thatcherefused to recognise, leading to the Marxist-orientated rule of Presidentugabe.;This autobiography deals with many political events that have beenonveniently glossed over. It presents a fascinating portrait of one of the0th century's most distinguished political figures.