THE GREAT BETRAYAL IAN SMITH SIGNED RHODESIA PM Central Africa RAF UDI Zimbabwe

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THE GREAT BETRAYAL IAN SMITH SIGNED RHODESIA PM Central Africa RAF UDI Zimbabwe THE GREAT BETRAYAL THE MEMOIRS OF IAN DOUGLAS SMITH BLAKE: LONDON 1997 First edition, signed. A highly collectable, signed copy of Smiths autobiography. Rhodesia's former Prime Minister, is a man with the power to excite powerful emotions in all who hear his name. To those who revere him he is a hero, a mighty leader, a man whose formidable integrity led him into head-to-head confrontation with the Labour Government of Britain in the 1960s. To others he is a demon, a reactionary whose intransigence long delayed majority rule in an important corner of Africa. The truth, as this revealing and long-awaited autobiography reveals, lies somewhere between these two extremes. Ian Smith's story begins in a small African town where he was brought up with a strong tradition of service to the community. Interrupting his university career, he fought for the RAF in the Second World War. He was shot down over Italy and escaped by hiking over the freezing Alps in his socks. He entered politics in 1948, shortly after the war ended. He vehemently believed that the plans of Whitehall were not in the best interests of his people and finally declared unilateral independence. His dramatic rebellion against the Crown forfeited the support of the British establishment, but earned him the admiration of many ordinary people. Smith devoted his life to defeating sanctions and the armed onslaught of African Nationalists. He finally managed to bring majority rule to Rhodesia in 1979. His successor, Bishop Muzorewa, refused to be advised by Ian Smith and fell for the guile of Lord Carrington instead. The marxist Robert Mugabe took over the reins of power shortly afterwards, exactly as Smith had warned he would. Ian Smith brings his story to the present day by detailing excesses of power by President Mugabe, and revealing the way in which Mugabe has crushed his Matabele opposition to create the virtual dictatorship which exists in Zimbabwe today. Born on 8 April 1919 in rural Rhodesia, Ian Smith was the third child and only son of John and Agnes Smith, both later awarded MBEs for public service. A gifted all-rounder, he was educated at Chaplin High School, Gwelo, and at Rhodes University, South Africa, before joining No. 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron, RAF. He was critically injured in a Hurricane crash in 1943, and after recovering he rejoined his squadron to be shot down over the Po River in June 1944. He fought with the Italian partisans before escaping over the Maritime Alps to liberated France. In 1945 he flew over Germany before returning to Rhodes University to complete his degree in Commerce. In 1948 he acquired a farm, married Janet Watt and entered Parliament. He moved from the Liberal Party to the United Federal Party of Sir Roy Welensky, before founding the Rhodesian Front with Winston Field to thwart British plans for Rhodesia. He succeeded Field as Prime Minister in April 1964. Smith took Rhodesia through the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 and, after repeated attempts at settlement, he reached an agreement with African nationalists in 1978. His term as Prime Minister ended with the first fully democratic election of April 1979. He was a minister without portfolio in Bishop Muzorewa's Government of National Unity and remained in Parliament until Robert Mugabe had him expelled in 1986. Janet died after a short illness in late 1994, and Ian Smith continued to farm in Zimbabwe while retaining his keen interest in politics and sport. 24 x 16 cm. (9� x 6�''), xi +418 pp + b/w photo plates. Near fine condition, slight bump at base of spine and one corner of rear board. Signed on the title page by Ian Smith, without dedication. PayPal is the pre... read more

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