This study combines in one volume the history of Zimbabwe from the advent of British settlers in 1890 to 2000, including women’s rights and human rights in Zimbabwe. It is a political, social and economic history. The Postscript examines the major developments in Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2008.

The two previous major studies on the history of Zimbabwe, The Past Is Another Country by Martin Meredith (London, Andre Deutsch, 1979) and The Road to Zimbabwe, 1890–1980 by Anthony Verrier (London, Jonathan Cape, 1986) are now out of date. This volume brings the historical study of Zimbabwe almost up to the present day.