John Kent has written the first full scholarly study of British and French policy in their West African colonies during the Second World War and its aftermath. His detailed analysis shows how the broader requirements of Anglo-French relations in Europe and the wider world shaped the formulation and execution of the two colonial powers' policy in Black Africa. He examines the guiding principles of the policy-makers in London and Paris and the problems experienced by the colonial administrators themselves. This is a genuinely comparative study, thoroughly grounded in both French and British archives, and it sheds new light on the development of Anglo-French co-operation in colonial matters in this period.

This is the first study of constitution making during a critical decade of British rule in Kenya to be based on a thorough examination of archival sources. Such sources include secret police and intelligence reports, records of the planning and negotiations leading to the imposition of the three constitutions, and British cabinet records. These allow for a more complete appreciation of the forces that produced the specific constitutional dispensations. For example, the book provides the fullest and most authoritative account of the first Lancaster House conference of 1960. The account indicates that the constitution that emerged, as with the negotiations of 1954 and 1957, was not the result of inter-racial bargaining. Rather, each constitution was imposed by Britain after acceptance by some political groups, though not all. Such partial acceptance proved fatal to the constitutions of the 1950s. The book illustrates this reality as well as highlighting the importance of African agency in the overthrow of the Lyttleton and Lennox-Boyd constitutions and in the emergence of the very different constitutional order that resulted from the Lancaster House conference. Britain and Kenya's Constitutions, 1950-1960 is an important resource for scholars in African studies as well as those researching the history of British decolonization in Africa.

Poverty-related problems facing Africa are not only overwhelming but are also monumental and worrisome. Some of Africa's poverty problems are self-inflicted and have increasingly become systemically chronic, while others are externally instigated. This book focuses on an aspect of those problems that are principally internal to Africa--the issue of corruption. The book picks out Zambia as a case study. Thus, the efficacy of the legal and institutional framework for fighting corruption in Zambia is examined. As an authoritative text on Zambian jurisprudence, this book brings out critically and analytically incisive legal perspectives. The book also makes reference to closely related developments in other jurisdictions. Weaknesses in the legal and institutional framework in Zambia are identified, and the book spells out proposals to strengthen the framework. "The book is an excellent attempt to set the record straight on the otherwise often confusing present situation in Zambia vis-a-vis the established legal and institutional mechanisms, which sometimes appear to compete against each other. This seems to work against the very raison d'etre or objective for which they were instituted. The book attempts to provide some solutions on how this could be avoided or overcome. ... It is a highly recommended work for people in other countries, especially developing ones, who are also involved in the fight against corruption to draw lessons from Zambia's attempt to rid itself from this scourge." - Dr. Mpazi Sinjela, LL.B (UNZA), LL.M, JSD (Yale) Dean, WIPO Worldwide Academy; Professor, (Visiting), Lund University and Raoul Wallenberg Institute (Sweden); Co-Director and Professor, Masters Degree Program in Intellectual Property, University of Turin, (Italy)

Bill Nasson's South Africa at War, 1939-1945 is the first history of South Africa's involvement in World War II to appear for a very long time. It is written by one of South Africa's leading historians, who has specialised in writing the history of war. With characteristic brio, erudition and good humour, Bill Nasson tells an illustrated story of South Africa at war against Nazi Germany, its unpreparedness at the start, its surprising success in rising to the challenge, and the huge impact the war had on South African society and on expectations of change. It explores the impact, both immediate and in a wider historical context, of the 1939-45 crisis upon the Union and its divided and often volatile society. Touching on a broad range of experiences and events - military, political, economic and social - here is an evocative portrayal of a largely neglected episode in South Africa's modern history.

Dr Jacob Chikuhwa continues with his academic analysis of both the political and economic developments in Zimbabwe. Supported by well researched historical narrative and economic data, Zimbabwe: The End of the First Republic examines the triumphs and tribulations of the Zimbabwean national project leading to the adoption of a home-grown constitution and the July 31, 2013 elections. Although the war of liberation led to Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, it has not established democracy, functioning health and education systems and equal opportunities for Zimbabweans. What Zimbabweans experience is decay of infrastructure with very little in the state coffers despite abundant natural resources. The theme on economic performance focuses on numerous failed economic blueprints that began with the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme during the early 1990s. The haphazard land-reform programme and the exploitation of mineral resources take centre stage. While Zimbabwe is poised to supply 25% of world diamond output, the way tenders are being awarded for the diamond mining has highlighted the need for accountability and transparency. Before the coalition government was formed in 2009, the country had gone from being one of Africa's strongest economies to one of its weakest - as Zimbabweans grappled with hyperinflation, mass unemployment and widespread poverty. Although the Short Term Emergency Recovery Programme brought some semblance of economic stability, the way indigenisation and economic empowerment are being carried out make investors shun the southern African country. Chikuhwa's economic study focuses on how corruption and a lack of transparency and accountability in Zimbabwe's governance have intensified social problems, crime and poverty, and have alienated the IMF and World Bank as well as potential foreign investors. This study, rich in statistical data and heartfelt commentary, will serve as a useful introduction for those studying Zimbabwe's recent history and economic development and entrepreneurs looking for investment opportunities.

Ben Viljoen (1868–1917) was ’n prominente jonger generaal in die Anglo-Boereoorlog, maar ná die oorlog is hy nie opgeneem in die nuwe politieke elite van die Afrikaners nie. Nadat hy die eed van getrouheid op St. Helena onderteken het, het hy noot weer permanent na Suid-Afrika teruggekeer nie.

Carel van der Merwe het besluit om Viljoen se spore te volg na Brittanje, Nederland, Mexiko en Amerika en te gaan uitvind hoe dit gebeur het dat dié Boereoorloggeneraal burgerskap van vier verskillende lande gehad het, die ster was van ’n Boereoorlogskouspel, aan ’n Mexikaanse revolusie deelgeneem het, as vredeskommissaris tussen die Yaqui-Indiane opgetree het en voor sy dood op die punt was om ’n film in Hollywood te vervaardig.

’n Prentjie van ’n komplekse persoonlikheid kom na vore wat herinner aan ’n deel van die huidige generasie Afrikaners – minder godvresend, gemaklik in verskillende kulture, en bereid om te emigreer wanneer hulle dink dit tot hul voordeel is.

Van al die gebeure in die Kaapkolonie gedurende die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog het die teregstelling van Hans Lötter, asook dié van kmdt. Gideon Scheepers, die meeste emosie onder Afrikaners ontketen. Lötter en sy mederebelle in die Kolonie het die verbeelding van die plaaslike bevolking aangegryp en die Britte maande lank hoofbrekens besorg. Sy gevangeneming, verhoor en teregstelling deur ’n Britse vuurpeloton op Middelburg, Kaap, het groot woede en verontwaardiging veroorsaak en hom verewig as Boeremartelaar in die Afrikaner-volksoorleweringe. Nou word sy boeiende verhaal vir die eerste keer volledig vertel.