Bereket Habte Selassie

"This is a drama based on contemporary political realities in some African countries, which arrived at liberation through armed struggle. Eritrea (God's land, according to the ancient Egyptians) is an example of a country and society in convulsion because of the abandonment by its leadership, particularly among the ex-combatants, of the lofty principles of democracy, serving the people, equality and solidarity: aspirations that characterized the rhetoric of the revolution"--Back cover.

This volume takes up the life story of the author from where first volume culminated. Through historical and political analysis Bereket lays bare elements that have contributed to Eritrea's descent from a stellar model of democracy and progress to a tragic abyss of dictatorship and isolation. His narrative is an historical and biographical testament of a man who had been part of the freedom fight and a process of constitution making that had earned admiration of a wide variety of observers and commentators. Combined together with the first volume, The Crown and the Pen the book is a must read for students of history and politics of Eritrea and the Horn of Africa region. Trust is a fundamental ingredient in human relations. People place trust in the government they elect expecting it to perform its duties according to promises it makes and pursuant to the law. But promises and laws are frequently broken, which raises issue of responsibility. That is why there are legal and constitutional requirements for accountability and transparency. This book's title and subtitle are indicative of bitter disappointment of the Eritrean public whose government of former freedom fighters broke its promises. A ratified constitution has been shelved and frozen for over thirteen years and Eritrea has been governed by one-man dictatorship contrary to all expectations, both domestic and international. In 1998, the country went through a devastating war with Ethiopia. The two countries have yet to restore normal relations over a decade later. In Eritrea's case, the situation of "no-peace-no-war" has subjected hundreds of thousands of youth to an endless forced military service. This has led to a mass exodus of scores of thousands of them defecting to neighboring countries. This condition, together with general dissatisfaction of the public has raised serious questions about Eritrea's future--Publisher's description.

Emperor Haile Selassie was an iconic figure of the twentieth century, a progressive monarch who ruled Ethiopia from 1916 to 1974. This book, written by a former state official who served in a number of important positions in Selassie's government, tells both the story of the emperor's life and the story of modern Ethiopia. After a struggle for the throne in 1916, the young Selassie emerged first as regent and then as supreme leader of Ethiopia. Over the course of his nearly six-decade rule, the emperor abolished slavery, introduced constitutional reform, and expanded educational opportunity. The Italian invasion of Ethiopia in the 1930s led to a five-year exile in England, from which he returned in time to lead his country through World War II. Selassie was also instrumental in the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, but he fell short of the ultimate goal of a promised democracy in Ethiopia. The corruption that grew under his absolute rule, as well as his seeming indifference to the famine that gripped Ethiopia in the 1970s, led finally to his overthrow by the armed forces that he had created. Haile Selassie was an enlightened monarch in many ways, but also a man with flaws like any other. This short biography is a sensitive portrayal of Selassie as both emperor and man, by one who knew him well.

"'This memoir recounts the extraordinary story of a man straddling two worlds--a progressive lawyer and high-ranking official of the government of Emperor Haile Selassie who struggled for justice within an archaic system. It is also the story of a man who has been touched by and in turn made his share of influence in some of the major events and developments of Ethiopia, Eritrea and the rest of Africa as well ..."--Publisher's website.