`Rhodesians Never Die'

This book tells the story of how White Rhodesians, three-quarters of whom were ill-prepared for revolutionary change, reacted to the `terrorist' war and the onset of Black rule in the 1970s. It shows how internal divisions - both old and new - undermined the supposed unity of White Rhodesia, how most Rhodesians begrudgingly accepted the inevitability of Black majority rule without adjusting to its implications, and how the self-appointed defenders of Western civilization sometimes adopted uncivilized methods of protecting the 'Rhodesian way of life'.

This is a lively and accessible account, based on careful archival research and numerous personal interviews. It sets out to tell the story from the inside and to incorporate the diverse dimensions of the Rhodesian experience. The authors suggest that the Rhodesians were more differentiated than has often been assumed and that perhaps their greatest fault was an almost infinite capacity for self-delusion.

Readership: Scholars and students of modern African history; historians of southern Africa and Rhodesia; readers with an interest in contemporary history.

Peter Godwin and Ian Hancock, Reader in History, Australian National University, Canberra

"`thorough but fair examination' Weekend Telegraph"

"`a fascinating and learned analysis of the tribe to which I belong, albeit as a renegade member.' Financial Times"

"`detailed and copiously documented study of (white) Rhodesia' Times Higher Education Supplement"

"`filled with many valuable observations on an important but neglected aspect of southern African history' The Times"

"'Peter Godwin and Ian Hancock have produced the best account yet of the death throes of white Rhodesia ... a wholly convincing study of the way white Rhodesians were weakened by their own propaganda.' The Economist"

"'There are tables on population, occupations and religious affiliations and a remarkable sourcing of evidence, including 62 pages of notes.' Margarette Driscoll, Sunday Times"

"'The authors ... who write admirably and have done much personal and archival research, give a sympathetic and perceptive analysis of the complicated cross-currents which flowed and of the doubts and misgivings which existed among the whites.' Robert Blake, The Spectator"

"`a well researched and highly readable account' Political Studies"

"'Rhodesians Never Die is compulsive reading, extraordinarily well researched and unfortunately for the Rhodies, probably all true.' Martin McGhee"

"'... a lively and accessible account based on careful archival research and numerous personal interviews. It makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in contemporary history.' Ray Knight. Bundu Times. (Australia) July '93"

"what is new about this book is its examination of the personal and public needs of Rhodesians to preserve the staus quo in theface of political change, and the costs of trying to maintain segregation while fighting a war." - Archived