Phillips .:. The Vision Splendid

Phillips, C.E. Lucas,
The Vision Splendid. The Future of the Central African Federation. London: Heinemann, 1960. 384 Seiten mit Abbildungen und Register. Leinen mit Schutzumschlag. 812 g

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* Schutzumschlag mit schwachen Gebrauchsspuren, leicht gebräunt.
Bestell-Nr.155006

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Phillips | Politik | Afrika | Rhodesia | Nyasaland

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LESS than seventy years ago Rhodesia and Nyasaland were in a state of anarchy, ravaged by ferocious tribal wars and brutal slave trading. Today the sons and grandsons of the warriors have been led into quieter ways and one or two have advanced far enough to qualify as doctors, lawyers and bishops, but the great majority still remain very primitive. The fate of their countries is shortly to be decided by a conference of governments. Press, Parliament and platform have already started the debate.
In The Vision Splendid Brigadier Lucas Phillips, who has recently travelled to the remotest parts of the Federation on a 'one-man Monckton Commission', gives the historical, social and human background to the problems surrounding the Federation of the central African territories. His book opens with an account of the area's geography, and this is followed by a historical survey from the 'visions splendid' of Cecil Rhodes and David Livingstone to 1923, when Southern Rhodesia attained the status of a British colony a year before Northern Rhodesia became a protectorate — a difference that has had lasting effects.
The latter part of the book deals with the present situation and the future, and among other controversial topics Brigadier Lucas Phillips discusses the oriains of African suspicions about Federation and probes deeply into the report of the Devlin Commission. He pinpoints the neglect of women's education as the main obstacle to sound social progress and declares that 'the curse of racialism', which was an evil imported from overseas, needs to be exorcised if a healthy state is to be established. He is not afraid to tell some hard 'hometruths', which are likely to be unpalatable to people with fixed views, and much of what he has to say has never before been effectively put before the general public. Finally, however, he brings the ideal of the vision splendid up to date and shows that the concept of a multiracial democratic partnership need not remain a dream.
The Vision Splendid is a vivid and arresting book, illustrated with 117 photographs and 12 maps and diagrams. In 1960, which has been called 'Africa Year', it is a valuable and original document on a topic of worldwide interest. The narrative style for which the author has become well known through his accounts of war exploits will be recognised by all who have read Cockleshell Heroes, The Greatest Raid of All and Escape of the Amethyst.

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