Kwame Nkrumah. Vision and Tragedy

by David Rooney

"The yearlong celebration of Ghana's Golden Jubilee provides a fitting context for the republication of the book Kwame Vision and Tragedy. In the lead-up to the celebration and over the course of the year, the life and times of Kwame Nkrumah will receive unprecedented public attention, official and unofficial. Kwame Nkrumah's very wide name-recognition is, paradoxically, accompanied by sketchy, often oversimplified knowledge about the events and processes of his life and times. For most of those born after independence in 1957, such knowledge does not extend much beyond who Kwame Nkrumah was and vague notions about "he won us Independence". This book presents new material and new analysis, which helps to clarify aspects of the record, while advancing new perspectives. What comes across clearly throughout the book is the significant contribution of Nkrumah's vision and personality at a critical moment in the history of Africa and the Third World. He, perhaps more than any other, was able to identify, focus and catalyse the major factors and players driving the struggle for political independence in Ghana and liberation in other parts of Africa. In the process, he committed his life and work totally to a wide variety of activities and processes in Ghana, the continent and in the global Non-Aligned Movement." - Akilagpa Sawyerr Association of African Universities Accra, Ghana 10 March 2007 "This is an objective study which should be read by all concerned with the history of post-colonial Africa." - Conor Cruise O'Brien Former Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana, Legon. David Rooney is a specialist on Ghana from Cambridge. His research for this book unearthed unpublished material in Ghana, UK, and the United States, where he had access to CIA papers. He has written extensively on the Commonwealth and modern Africa, and is the author of a biography of Sir Charles Noble Arden Clarke.

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

David Rooney is a historian and has taught in many important institutions, including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Amongst his previously published titles are Wingate and the Chindits, Burma Victory, and Military Mavericks. He lives in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Reviews

[Simonbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good and well-balanced biography of one of Ghana's founding leaders, Kwame Nkrumah. While it is very well written and exciting to read, the content of the book is perfectly reflected by the title. Indeed, Kwame Nkrumah was one of the most visionary leaders in African history who mobilized the continent for independence and pan-Africanism. The book, however, shows very well that Nkrumah failed to implement his policies due to lack of patience and skill. Generally the book stresses how important efficient institutions and bureaucracies are for economic and political success. Thus, Nkrumah was a great visionary, but a tragic figure due to his many policy failures after 1960. These failures ultimately led to his ousting from power in 1966. Overall, a very interesting book.

[Nana Fredua-Agyeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book when I realised that I knew less about Kwame Nkrumah than I should know. David Rooney attempted to be impartial but came out with less success. The link below leads to my review on my blog.

http://freduagyeman.blogspot.com/2009...

Thanks

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and historically interesting book, which goes into remarkable detail in illustrating Nkrumah’s rise and fall. A balanced and careful assessment, of high importance in explaining the path to Ghana’s early independence years, if on occasion felt a bit dry.