WINNER OF THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2019AN ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEARA CBC BOOK OF THE YEARThe extraordinary story of an indomitable 95-year-old woman – and of the most extraordinary century in Ethiopia’s history. A new Wild SwansA hundred years ago, a girl was born in the northern Ethiopian city of Gondar. Before she was ten years old, Yetemegnu was married to a man two decades her senior, an ambitious poet-priest. Over the next century her world changed beyond recognition. She witnessed Fascist invasion and occupation, Allied bombardment and exile from her city, the ascent and fall of Emperor Haile Selassie, revolution and civil war. She endured all these things alongside parenthood, widowhood and the death of children.The Wife’s Tale is an intimate memoir, both of a life and of a country. In prose steeped in Yetemegnu’s distinctive voice and point of view, Aida Edemariam retells her grandmother’s stories of a childhood surrounded by proud priests and soldiers, of her husband’s imprisonment, of her fight for justice – all of it played out against an ancient cycle of festivals and the rhythms of the seasons. She introduces us to a rich cast of characters – emperors and empresses, scholars and nuns, Marxist revolutionaries and wartime double agents. And through these encounters she takes us deep into the landscape and culture of this many-layered, often mis-characterised country – and the heart of one indomitable woman. Read more

The writer's name: Yayesew Shimelis -ያየሰው ሽመልስThe compelling book, "የሴራ እርካብ፤ የደም መንበር" , penned by Yayesew Shimelis, an intrepid journalist and the proprietor of Ethioforum, the prominent Amharic media outlet, offers an incisive exploration of the turbulent landscape of Ethiopian politics. Yayesew, a young and contemplative Ethiopian journalist, fearlessly navigates the tumultuous currents of recent political developments in Ethiopia, delving into the intricate web of political issues and current societal issues.In this thought-provoking narrative, Yayesew shares his personal journey, recounting the price he paid for his commitment to truth.Having faced imprisonment by the Ethiopian government on seven separate occasions within just three years, he unveils the challenges and sacrifices made in his pursuit of professional journalism.The book unfolds over a span of four years, providing an in-depth analysis of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's tenure. Drawing on firsthand experiences, insider connections, factual data, and encounters with key figures, including former and current politicians, militarycommanders, retired and active diplomats, and veterans, Yayesew sheds light on pivotal stories, evidence, and facts surrounding Abiy Ahmed'sleadership and his circle.Covering a spectrum of topics, the narrative explores war, widespread casualties, large-scale imprisonment, conspiracies, and criminalalliances. Key events such as Abiy Ahmed's marriage, his controversial education, the betrayal of close associates, the attack on thenorthern command, the Sene 16 bomb explosion (ሰኔ 16 የቦንብ ጥቃት), and the war in Tigray are dissected, revealing their profound consequences.The role of the media during this conflict is also scrutinized, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by the nation.Covering a spectrum of topics, the narrative explores war, widespread casualties, large-scale imprisonment, conspiracies, and criminal alliances. Key events such as Abiy Ahmed's marriage, his controversial education, the betrayal of close associates, the attack on the northern command, the Sene 16 bomb explosion (ሰኔ 16 የቦንብ ጥቃት), and the war in Tigray are dissected, revealing their profound consequences. The role of the media during this conflict is also scrutinized, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challengesfaced by the nation. Read more

Worship as Warfare and Prophetic Declarations of Praise in the Heavenlies.Vision Hymns gives a rare insight into the prophetic declarations, hymns and choruses used in spiritual warfare by Rees Howells and his team of intercessors at the Bible College of Wales (BCW). Spanning the pivotal years of 1936-1948 and brought to life for the first time in more than seventy years. Many of the songs of worship reveal the theology, spiritual battles and history during the dark days of World War II and the years surrounding it. From Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, Hitler's predicted downfall, to the Nation of Israel being born in a day and the glories beyond. Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvellous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory - Psalm 98:1.Vision Hymns ismore than a collection of rare hymns and choruses, including songs from the Bible, revelations, explanations and historical analysis behind many BCW hymns, coupled with historical events and the authentic voice of Rees Howells. Including letters, rare and never-seen-before fully digitally enhanced photos, plus three never-before-published poems about Rees and Lizzie Howells, and the British staff member working at BCW's Paris mission imprisoned in occupied France, his Divine escape and return to BCW during World War II.Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand - Psalm 149:5-6.Rees Howells embraced worship as warfare and participated in it daily. The Holy Spirit taught him the power of prophetic declarations and prophetic praise.Vision Hymns is a stirring book of historical spiritual warfare that contains no melodies or music and is a book that can be read by all, to inspire and uplift one's spirit and mind - words and lyrics to stir the soul and set the heart ablaze. Learn how your praise and worship can bring you into God's glory, into the realm of revelation so you can be effective in prayers and intercessions.'Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord giving thanks always for all things....' (Ephesians 5:19-20).Mathew Backholer is a former student and staff member of the Bible College of Wales under Samuel Rees Howells and is the co-founder of ByFaith Media (www.ByFaith.org). He presents ByFaith TV which airs globally on numerous networks and is the author of many books including Rees Howells' God Challenges the Dictators, Reformation to Revival, Christianity Rediscovered, Extreme Faith and Short-Term Missions. Read more

Prepare to embark on a global tour through time. You might want to take a map...But this is no ordinary atlas. The maps in History Atlas are rich visual extravaganzas, packed with kings, queens, heroes, villains, inventors, artists and explorers.Travel from Ancient Egypt and Rome to Ethiopia, Russia and China, and meet movers and shakers of world history from Genghis Khan to Martin Luther King. With quirky facts, astonishing characters, humorous details and compelling stories, this is history at its most entertaining. Read more

After the deposition of Haile Selassie in 1974, which ended the ancient rule of the Abyssinian monarchy, Ryszard Kapuscinski travelled to Ethiopia and sought out surviving courtiers to tell their stories. Here, their eloquent and ironic voices depict the lavish, corrupt world they had known - from the rituals, hierarchies and intrigues at court to the vagaries of a ruler who maintained absolute power over his impoverished people. They describe his inexorable downfall as the Ethiopian military approach, strange omens appear in the sky and courtiers vanish, until only the Emperor and his valet remain in the deserted palace, awaiting their fate. Dramatic and mesmerising, The Emperor is one of the great works of reportage and a haunting epitaph on the last moments of a dying regime. Read more

'Extraordinary and thrilling ... This story should be known to every man, woman and child' - Lemn SissayIn 1868, British troops charged into the mountain empire of Ethiopia, stormed the citadel of its monarch Tewodros II and grabbed piles of his treasures and sacred manuscripts. They also took his son – six-year-old Prince Alamayu – and brought the boy back with them to the cold shores of England.For the first time, Andrew Heavens tells the whole story of Alamayu, from his early days in his father’s fortress on the roof of Africa to his new home across the seas, where he charmed Queen Victoria, chatted with Lord Tennyson and travelled with his towering red-headed guardian Captain Speedy. The orphan prince was celebrated but stereotyped and never allowed to go home.The book also follows the loot – Ethiopia’s ‘Elgin Marbles’ – and tracks it down to its current hiding places in bank vaults, museum store cupboards and a boarded-up cavity in Westminster Abbey.A story of adventure, trauma and tragedy, The Prince and the Plunder is also a tale for our times, as we re-examine Britain’s past, pull down statues of imperial grandees and look for other figures to commemorate and celebrate in their place. Read more

Introduced by Lois Pryce, author of Lois on the Loose, Red Tape & White Knuckles and Revolutionary Ride.In 1959 Barbara Toy, famous for her solo overland travels in North Africa and Arabia, set out in her trademark Land Rover to drive from Libya to Ethiopia.Alone, she crossed the Sahara Desert and the equatorial forests of the Congo before ascending the highlands of Haile Selassie's empire. Her Ethiopian travels took her from modern Addis Ababa to the ancient ruins of Aksum, through bandit-ridden countryside to the summit of Mount Wehni - where male heirs to the emperor were traditionally imprisoned for life - on a quest to explore the legend of the Queen of Sheba. Full of good humour and grit, In Search of Sheba chronicles a remarkable feat of endurance and adventure by one of the twentieth century's greatest travellers. Read more

A Foreign Affairs Best Book of 2022 In 1935, Fascist Italy invaded the sovereign state of Ethiopia--a war of conquest that triggered a chain of events culminating in the Second World War. In this stunning and highly original tale of two Churches, historian Ian Campbell brings a whole new perspective to the story, revealing that bishops of the Italian Catholic Church facilitated the invasion by sanctifying it as a crusade against the world's second-oldest national Church. Cardinals and archbishops rallied the support of Catholic Italy for Il Duce's invading armies by denouncing Ethiopian Christians as heretics and schismatics, and announcing that the onslaught was an assignment from God. Campbell marshalls evidence from three decades of research to expose the martyrdom of thousands of clergy of the venerable Ethiopian Church, the burning and looting of hundreds of Ethiopia's ancient monasteries and churches, and the instigation and arming of a jihad against Ethiopian Christendom, the likes of which had not been seen since the Middle Ages. Finally, Holy War traces how, after Italy's surrender to the Allies, the horrors of this pogrom were swept under the carpet of history, and the leading culprits put on the road to sainthood. Read more

Autobiography of Emperor Haile Selassie I: King of Kings and Lord of: 1 (My Life and Ethiopia's Progress (Paperback)) Paperback – 1 Dec 1999 Read more

If you want to discover the captivating history of ancient Africa and the Kingdom of Kush, then keep reading...Two captivating manuscripts in one book:Ancient Africa: A Captivating Guide to Ancient African Civilizations, Such as the Kingdom of Kush, the Land of Punt, Carthage, the Kingdom of Aksum, and the Mali Empire with its TimbuktuThe Kingdom of Kush: A Captivating Guide to an Ancient African Kingdom in Nubia That Once Ruled EgyptAfrica is the continent where the first humans were born. They explored the vast land and produced the first tools. And although we migrated from that continent, we never completely abandoned it. From the beginning of time, humans lived and worked in Africa, leaving evidence of their existence in the sands of the Sahara Desert and the valleys of the great rivers, such as the Nile and Niger. Some of the earliest great civilizations were born there, and they give us an insight into the smaller kingdoms of ancient Africa.Egypt is the main source of knowledge of many neighboring kingdoms that were just as rich and developed. Unfortunately, they were forgotten in time, as other civilizations and kingdoms replaced them as the continent’s power bases. Only recently are we rediscovering the might of the Kingdom of Aksum, the political prowess of Kush, and the richness of the mysterious Punt. The early medieval kingdoms of Ghana and Mali are still being researched due to their unique pre-Muslim culture and their own outlook on Islam.As the home of the many pharaohs, Queen Sheba, Hannibal Barca, and Mansa Musa, Africa deserves our full attention. It has stories to tell us and cultural riches to share with us. Africa is where paganism, Christianity, and Islam left their trails and created a cultural fusion that is unique to the continent. Some modern countries are popular tourist destinations, while others are war-torn lands still unable to industrialize. This polarity of Africa can be traced to ancient times, and the world-shaping events that occurred here need to be studied and understood.Some of the topics covered in part 1 of this book include:The Kingdom of KushThe Land of PuntCarthageThe Kingdom of AksumThe Ghana EmpireThe Mali EmpireAnd much, much more!Some of the topics covered in part 2 of this book include:Nubia and the Emergence of the Kingdom of KushFrom Alara to the Twenty-Fifth DynastyThe Rulers of the Twenty-Fifth DynastyRelations between Kush and Egypt ContinueKush between the 6th and 3rd CenturiesThe Meroitic DynastyThe Last Centuries of the Kingdom of KushThe Society of KushAnd much, much more!So if you want to learn more about ancient Africa and the Kingdom of Kush, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button! Read more

The writer's name: Yayesew Shimelis -ያየሰው ሽመልስThe compelling book, "የሴራ እርካብ፤ የደም መንበር" , penned by Yayesew Shimelis, an intrepid journalist and the proprietor of Ethioforum, the prominent Amharic media outlet, offers an incisive exploration of the turbulent landscape of Ethiopian politics. Yayesew, a young and contemplative Ethiopian journalist, fearlessly navigates the tumultuous currents of recent political developments in Ethiopia, delving into the intricate web of political issues and current societal issues.In this thought-provoking narrative, Yayesew shares his personal journey, recounting the price he paid for his commitment to truth.Having faced imprisonment by the Ethiopian government on seven separate occasions within just three years, he unveils the challenges and sacrifices made in his pursuit of professional journalism.The book unfolds over a span of four years, providing an in-depth analysis of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's tenure. Drawing on firsthand experiences, insider connections, factual data, and encounters with key figures, including former and current politicians, militarycommanders, retired and active diplomats, and veterans, Yayesew sheds light on pivotal stories, evidence, and facts surrounding Abiy Ahmed'sleadership and his circle.Covering a spectrum of topics, the narrative explores war, widespread casualties, large-scale imprisonment, conspiracies, and criminalalliances. Key events such as Abiy Ahmed's marriage, his controversial education, the betrayal of close associates, the attack on thenorthern command, the Sene 16 bomb explosion (ሰኔ 16 የቦንብ ጥቃት), and the war in Tigray are dissected, revealing their profound consequences.The role of the media during this conflict is also scrutinized, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges faced by the nation.Covering a spectrum of topics, the narrative explores war, widespread casualties, large-scale imprisonment, conspiracies, and criminal alliances. Key events such as Abiy Ahmed's marriage, his controversial education, the betrayal of close associates, the attack on the northern command, the Sene 16 bomb explosion (ሰኔ 16 የቦንብ ጥቃት), and the war in Tigray are dissected, revealing their profound consequences. The role of the media during this conflict is also scrutinized, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challengesfaced by the nation. Read more

This new edition of Peter Neville’s Mussolini traces and analyses the life of one of the most fascinating twentieth century European dictators, Benito Mussolini, while placing his life in its historic Italian context. Engaging and accessible, the Duce’s career is traced from his roots as a journalist and socialist to his capture and execution in 1945, addressing crucial issues throughout: was Mussolini really a far right ideologist, or simply a political opportunist? How successful was he at communicating his core beliefs to the Italian people? This thoroughly updated new edition synthesises the scholarship of the last ten years to consider Italian atrocities in Africa, and the reaction to them by ordinary Italians, in addition to a consideration of the relationship between Mussolini and Hitler while other periods of Mussolini’s life are expanded upon and reconsidered. Finally, the author considers Mussolini’s legacy and his continuing influence in modern Italy. This biography gives students a useful analytical introduction to the period and the man and provides an explanation of what fascism was and why it resonated with so many people in Italy. It will be essential reading for all students of modern Italy and the history of fascism. Read more

Over three hundred years ago the first European colonialists set foot in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean to found permanent outposts of the great empires. This epic migration continued until after World War II when these tropical outposts became independent black nations, and the white colonials were forced, or chose, to return home. Some of these colonial descendants, however, had become outcasts in the poorest stratas of the society of which they were now a part. Ignored by both the former slaves and the modern privileged white immigrants, and unable to afford the long journey home, they still hold out today, hiding in remote valleys and hills, 'lost white tribes' living in poverty with the proud myth of their colonial ancestors. Forced to marry within the tribe to retain their fair-skinned 'purity' they are torn between the memory of past privileges and the present need to integrate into the surrounding society.The tribes investigated in this book share much besides the colour of their skin: all are decreasing in number, many are on the verge of extinction, fighting to survive in countries that alienate them because of the colour of their skin. Riccardo Orizio investigates: the Blancs Matignon of Guadeloupe; the Burghers of Sri Lanka; the Poles of Haiti; the Basters of Namibia; the Germans of Seaford Town, Jamaica; the Confederados of Brazil. Read more

“A superb biography” of the controversial British Army officer who lead the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade against the Japanese in Burma during World War II (HistoryOfWar.org). Winston Churchill described Wingate as a man of genius who might well have become a man of destiny. Tragically, he died in a jungle aircraft crash in 1944. Like his famous kinsman Lawrence of Arabia, Wingate was renowned for being an unorthodox soldier, inclined to reject received patterns of military thought. He was a fundamentalist Christian with a biblical certainty in himself and his mission. He is best-remembered as the charismatic and abrasive leader of the Chindits. With the support of Archibald Wavell, he was responsible for a strategy of using independent groups deep behind enemy lines, supported only by air drops. Wingate was responsible for leading the charge of 2,000 Ethiopians and the Sudan Defence Force into Italian-occupied Abyssinia. Remarkably, he defeated a 40,000 strong enemy that was supported by aircraft and artillery, which Wingate did not possess. Despite his achievements, Wingate suffered from illness and depression and in Cairo attempted suicide. He was not universally liked: his romantic Zionism contrasted with the traditional British Arabist notions. He did, however, lead from the front and marched, ate and slept with his men. In this authoritative biography, Royle expertly brings to life a ruthless, complex, arrogant but ultimately admirable general.“An insightful look at the controversies which have dogged Wingate’s reputation over the years . . . strongly recommended to anyone interested in irregular warfare and counterinsurgency operations.” —African Armed Forces Journal Read more

Through the lens of three of the most devastating food crises in modern history- the Górta Mor of British-ruled Ireland, the great famine of British-ruled Bengal in 1943, and the string of famines that plagued Ethiopia during the 1970s and 1980s, Booker Prize-winning author Thomas Keneally vividly evokes the terrible cost of mass starvation at the level of the individual who starves and the nation that watches. Famine is widely misunderstood as a completely natural catastrophe. Keneally recounts that while the triggers- crop, pestilence, and drought- are natural, the political and ideological choices that prolong famine are man-made. Government neglect and individual venality, not food shortages, are historically the causes of sustained, widespread hunger.In Ireland, British authorities ignored the existence of a food crisis while the famished fed on diseased cattle and human remains. In Bengal, where over four million starved to death, Field Marshal Archibald Wavell's reports of people dying in Calcutta's streets and demands for relief resulted in little more than a mocking cable from Winston Churchill asking, why, if food was so scarce, hadn't Gandhi died yet? In Ethiopia, Mengistu Haile Mariam arranged for 400,000 bottles of whisky to ship to Addis Ababa from Britain to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the revolution that put him in power, while one person died every twenty minutes in Korem. These three famines are stark examples of how throughout history, racial preconceptions, administrative neglect, and incompetence have been more lethal than the initiating blights or crop failures. Keneally's startling narrative history is a sobering warning to the authorities in charge of mercy in our time to stop making choices that feed famine instead of the starving. Read more

Two manuscripts in one book:History of Ethiopia: A Captivating Guide to Ethiopian HistoryThe Italian Invasion of Ethiopia: A Captivating Guide to Mussolini's War in AbyssiniaEthiopia has a long history. It boasts one of the longest-running continuous civilizations on the planet; even the origins of humanity have been traced back to Ethiopia. Ethiopian kingdoms date back to the days of the Bible, and mentions of Ethiopian monarchs can be found all throughout the historical record.In the first part of this book, you will discover:Ethiopia’s origin and the legendary Queen of ShebaThe Aksumite Empire and the adoption of ChristianityEthiopia’s Solomonic line—King Solomon to Haile SelassieThe brief intermission of the Zagwe dynastyEthiopian emperors and how they ruledEthiopia’s communist takeoverModern EthiopiaAlthough the Ethiopians had beaten the Italians at their own game in the 1898 Battle of Adwa, when Italian armored divisions began pouring out of Italian-controlled Eritrea in 1935, the situation seemed almost impossible to overcome. This was not 1898 when the Italians were ill-equipped and ill-advised in their undertakings. The Italians had made sure they were guaranteed the upper hand. They had the best tanks and the best aircraft they could get their hands on.In the second part of this book, you will learn about:The geopolitical background before the invasionHow the invasion was planned and what it entailedThe international role played by the League of NationsThe major battles fought during the Second Italo-Ethiopian WarThe exile of Haile Selassie and how he continued to take a stand in exileThe Italian occupation of EthiopiaThe atrocities the Italians committedWhat happened to EthiopiaAnd much more!Scroll up and click the “add to cart” button to learn more about Ethiopia! Read more