Ebook: A Career of Defiance: The Life of Ian Smith

My purpose for writing this book was to provide as objective an account as possible of the life of Ian Douglas Smith, the former prime minister of what was known as Rhodesia and is now known as Zimbabwe. It is hoped that this book has done justice to the subject. Unfortunately, I was unable to travel to Zimbabwe to explore the public documents in Harare and the local newspapers there and in other localities. Therefore, I have missed out on some information that would have helped make this book better. However, I hope this book has not suffered for lack of information. I made a thorough examination of information in this country. While I was forced to rely heavily on information in the news media, I was able to locate information through other sources. A number of books and reference materials were available, as were professional publications on African affairs. Also, I got some information from what was known as the Rhodesian Information Office in Washington, D.C.; its name later changed to the Zimbabwe Rhodesian Information Office. Also, I wrote a number of individuals involved in the politics of Rhodesia. Those who responded to my letters include Sir Roy Welensky and former U. S. Senator S. I. Hayakawa. Another person deserving thanks because of his encouragement is Lee F. Young, who in 1989 retired from teaching at of the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. Finally, I wish to thank all those whose names I never knew who worked at Watson Library at the University of Kansas. Without their help I would never have located some of my sources. I realize this book has limitations because I was unable to travel to Zimbabwe and thus use all the materials there. However, I am confident that this rendition has done justice to an important subject in both southern African and world history.