Revolution in Zanzibar: An American's Cold War Tale Book

The Cold War came to Zanzibar in 1964 after African rebels slaughtered one of every ten Arabs. Led at first by a strange, messianic Ugandan, the rebels became heavily influenced by pro-Communists, including Cuban-trained gun toters, making Zanzibar (in the eyes of Washington, London, and some African capitals) a potentially cancerous base for the communist subversion of mainland Africa. Exotic Zanzibar - fabled island of spices, former slave-trading entrepôt, and stepping-off point for 19th century expeditions into the vast interior of the Dark Continent - had succumbed to the terror of 20th century revolution and Cold War intrigue. In the vivid, eyewitness tradition of The Bang Bang Club and The Skull beneath the Skin, Donald Petterson weaves an engrossing tale of human drama played out against a background of violence and horror. As the only American in Zanzibar throughout the revolution, Petterson reports with the inside authority of a highly placed diplomatic observer, illuminating how the current troubles in Zanzibar are rooted in the Cold War and the revolution of 1964.Read More