Winds of Change

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Britain's empire in Africa was glorious but shortlived. When the first colonies and protectorates were founded during the late Victorian 'Scramble for Africa' an Imperial span of at least one hundred years was envisaged. In the event things were very different. The Gold Coast gained independence as Ghana in 1957 and within seven years Britain's remaining African colonies became free, ending a tumultuous period of British history.Combining historical narrative with the voices and memories of the people who lived through the period, Trevor Royle recreates the last days of British rule in Africa - an episode of which Britain can be proud.The story begins with the heady experience of the Gold Coast's race to freedom in 1957 and ends with the long conflict for Zimbabwe's independence under African rule in 1980. In between follow the drawn-out battle against the Mau Mau in Kenya, the struggle to achieve a federal solution in Nigeria and the white settlers' last-ditch attempt under Ian Smith to hold on to power in Rhodesia. Through the memories of those involved, Trevor Royle captures the tensions and drama of these extraordinary and momentous years.