Description
Book SynopsisEngaging Africa: Washington and the Fall of Portugal''s Colonial Empire tells the story of how successive administrationsKennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Fordtried to maintain the confidence of their NATO ally, Portugal, while facilitating the process of decolonization in Angola and Mozambique. Ultimately becoming an epic battle of democracy versus dictatorship, African nationalism versus geo-strategic pre-eminence, and East versus West, this book, largely based on primary sources, tells the story of one of the Cold War''s most intense confrontations.
Trade ReviewPortugal's departure from Africa, and the role that the United States played in this process, is an extraordinarily important and tragic episode of the Cold War era. Drawing on voluminous declassified official documents, combined with interviews with virtually all of the principal policy makers of the era, Witney Schneidman has written an excellent diplomatic history on the making of U.S. policy toward Africa. He also tells a fascinating story. -- Gerald J. Bender, Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California
Engaging Africa is a compelling story. For those interested in the history of U.S. policy toward Africa, this book is essential reading. -- Susan E. Rice, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
This is a superb diplomatic narrative of the competing national interests shaping U.S. policy towards Portugal and its colonial empire in Africa, when the 'winds of change' were blowing across the African continent. Schneidman provides a vivid description of the maneuverings behind the policy debates and colorful insights of the personalities involved during this important, often forgotten, moment in history. -- Ambassador Paul Hare, U.S. Special Representative to the Angolan Peace Process, 1993-1998
This is the best study of U.S. relations with Portugal and Portuguese Africa from Kennedy through Ford, the difficult years when U.S. policymakers had to decide how best to respond to Lisbon's efforts to retain the Portuguese empire in Africa. -- Piero Gleijeses, Professor of American Foreign Policy, Johns Hopkins University, author of Conflicting Missions: Havana, Washington and Africa, 1
This book, a must-read for anyone interested in decolonization or Cold War diplomacy, is the definitive diplomatic history of U.S.-Portuguese relations in the 1960s and 1970s, in the context of Portugal's 1974 revolution and the end of its African empire. -- Nicholas Van De Walle * Foreign Affairs *
Portuguese Africa and Portugal is a dramatic story, unique in the annals of history. Witney Schneidman has rendered a great service by taking on a neglected tale and telling it extremely well. . . . The description of postrevolutionary Portugal is as accurate as any I have seen. -- Frank C. Carlucci, III, former U.S. Ambassador to Portugal
Schneidman's book adds its weight to the developing argument and challenges historians to continue to delve more deeply into the problems in United States decolonization policy which have helped to shape the post-colonial world in which we live today. -- Daniel Byrne, University of Evansville * H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online *
This excellent work reflects both its academic origins through extensive archival research and an insider view of policy changes and personality clashes. Summing Up: RECOMMENDED. Upper-division undergraduates and above. -- C.W. Hartwig, Arkansas State University * CHOICE *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Map of Africa Chapter 4 Kennedy and Salazar: Africa Versus the Azores Chapter 5 Lyndon Johnson and Africa: The Right Policy for the Wrong Reasons Chapter 6 Nixon, Caetano, and Spínola: Partners in Uncertainty Chapter 7 Kissinger, Carlucci, and Portugal's Revolution Chapter 8 Angola's Transition to Independence Chapter 9 Conclusion Chapter 10 Appendix Chapter 11 List of Acronyms Chapter 12 Endnotes Chapter 13 Acknowledgments Chapter 14 Index
