Description
Book SynopsisThe Biafran War was truly a 'brother's war', which saw family and friends on opposing sides. When the breakaway province of Biafra tried to secede from Nigeria in 1967, the result was a civil war of terrifying intensity. The minority Igbo people stood little chance of victory in the face of the overwhelming superiority of the Nigerian army in the north. Envisaged initially as a short conflict, the war confounded all expectations, stretching on for almost three years - the Igbo had far inferior resources and fewer weapons, yet they were determined to defend their right to independence. This book answers many of the most important questions surrounding the conflict - including how such an avoidable conflict came about, why the war became so drawn-out and how the leadership of the opposing Generals - Ojukwu, who led the Biafran revolt, and Gowon, who was President of the Nigerian Federation - defined the conflict. In doing so, Michael Gould offers a fascinating and comprehensive portrait of one of the defining conflicts of modern Africa.
Trade Review'The best account of the conflict so far' - Denis Judd, TLS 'The most objective work on its subject' - Stephen Ellis, RUSI Journal 'An outstanding account and analysis of the Nigerian Civil War' - Anthony Kirk-Greene, University of Oxford '...a fascinating conspectus of Biafra's doomed fight for independence.' William Boyd, The Scotsman
Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Historical Background Chapter 3 The Path to War and its Beginning Chapter 4 The Second Part of the War, from mid 1968 to January 1970 Chapter 5 Biafra’s Longevity Chapter 6 Gowon and Ojukwu: an appraisal of the two leaders Chapter 7 Conclusion Epilogue Postscript Chronology of Events: January 1966 to January 1970 People featured in the Book Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Notes Bibliography Index
