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

The historical significance of this book can not be overstated. It is exactly what’s happening today in the west.

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.

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

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.

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...

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

Anyone interested in decolonization should read this.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The media could not be loaded.