Heidi Holland (1947–2012)

Heidi Holland the author was a white Rhodesian who was against the white minority Government. In 1975 she provided dinner for Robert Mugabe who was on the run, at her home. He met with another man and the next day he telephoned her to thank her. She wanted to know how the man she had met so briefly could become the man who killed tens of thousands in the 1980's and who drove his country into economic ruins. She was interested in what made the man and each chapter looks at a different aspect of his life, from his childhood to an interview with the man himself in 2007. It answered many questions I had such as how did he become involved in the bush war also known as the second chimurenga, how did he became leader and what happened in the early days of Zimbabwe. The only aspect some might find annoying is the personality profiles of Mugabe. I'm uncertain if they add or subtract from the biographical nature of the rest of the book. It is a good read and very informative if your interested in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.… (altro)