The Government of Emperor Haile Selassie I (1930-1955) (Amharic Edition)
The Government of Haile Selassie I, by Zewde Retta Mr Zewde Retta, former Ethiopian Ambassador to Italy, has given us one more book on Ethiopia's modern history, entitled: The Government of Haile Selassie I. We have been anticipating this book's release ever since rumors began circulating that Mr. Retta was organizing his data and contemplating another work. As a journalist who had full access to the Palace, he had the foresight to collect important documents and to create contemporaneous records of events as they happened. As a result, he is uniquely positioned to address his subject with great distinction. His two prior works, the first about Eritrea and the second on Haile Selassie's early years, had already placed him among historians whose words we consider definitive. Readers of Mr. Retta's new book will find that it meets the same high standard, and will be amazed, as I am, to discover so much new information about an era in which we lived. --Professor Getatchew HaileEthiopian author and ambassador Zewde Retta, educated in Ethiopia and in France, has published the second volume of his trilogy on the life and times of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia for grateful readers. He honed his writing skills early on in his life as the palace reporter for the national paper and serving in different capacities in the Ethiopian government, including ambassadorial diplomatic services. It appears that destiny has determined author Zewde Retta to emerge as an accomplished narrator of his country's political history. The period of history covered in this hefty 811 page book, Emperor Haile Selassie's Government. The text deals with a most critical period of war and peace in the 20th century, in which Ethiopia and Emperor Haile Selassie were cast on the world stage. More than half the book is devoted to the Italian Fascist invasion of Ethiopia (1936-1941) and its aftermath. This well researched and well written book is also embellished with more than 150 photographs, many of which were unpublished hitherto. It has taken seven arduous years for the author to research and write this important and edifying volume. It is a book for the ages. --Negussay Ayele, ProfessorMr. Zewde Retta's recent book on the government of Emperor Haile Selassie I is a welcome and timely contribution to the limited literature of modern Ethiopian history. It comes at a time when present and young generations are eager to know what really happened during the reign of the Emperor. How he managed to introduce modern monarchical governance, including the opening-up of the country to the outside world. With what patience and determination he overcame the Italian aggression and the long period of continued machinations of the European colonial powers, in particular the British and the French. This book of over 800 pages is enriched with over 140 fascinating and engaging photographs. The reader would be rewarded just by studying the historic photographs, let alone the spicy personal and original incidents that are interspersed across the length and breadth of the book. The content of the book is presented in 8 parts: Part 1 : The transfer of power from Emperor Menilik and the rise to power of the young Teferi Makonen, who is eventually crowned as Emperor Haile Selassie I. Part 2 : The hanging of a Black Cloud; over the Ethiopian Bright Sunshine;. It presents the aspirations and motivations of Italy - spearheaded by Benito Mussolini - to avenge Italy's Adwa defeat some forty years earlier and the unjust support European powers and The League of Nations gave to Italy.  Part 3 : The Italian invasion of Ethiopia and the Emperor's appeal to The League of Nations. Part 4 : The beginning of World War II in Europe and the alliance of Benito Mussolini with Adolf Hitler.  Part 5 : The Liberation of Ethiopia Part 6 : The Era of the British and their aspirations over Ethiopia; The Emperor's wise and determined treatment of the British including his historic meeting with President Roosevelt on the Suez Canal and with Winston Churchill in Cairo, Egypt. Part 7 : The rise to power of the two enigmatic personalities within the Emperor's Cabinet: Makonen Habtewolde and Wolde Giorgis  Part 8 : The decline and end of Wolde Giorgis's power. Readers with basic competence in Amharic, the national language of Ethiopia would enjoy this book, its comprehensive coverage, its judicious use of words and its style of writing. Once they begin reading it they would be compelled to finish it. Mr Retta has earlier published two equally powerful and useful books: the first dealing with the Eritrean Affair during the reign of the Emperor (1941- 1963) and the second about Teferi Makonen, the life history of the Emperor during his childhood and youth (1884-1922). Both books have been accepted and read widely, many are still requesting these books to be reprinted. The Government of Emperor Haile Selassie I by Mr Zewde Retta is a wonderful and useful book to read, very reasonably priced to give as a gift. I strongly invite younger generations to read it and become familiar with this period of Ethiopia's modern history. --Aklilu Habte Ph. D. Former President of Haile Selassie I University and Ex Director of Education and training at the World Bank and Unicef.