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ThisstunningnarrativemarkedtheturningpointinthewritingcareerofFrederickForsyth,whosubsequentlywroteTheDogsofWarandTheDayoftheJackal.Previously,ForsythhadbeenajournalistbuthisbookonBiaframarkedhisremarkabledebutasanauthor.Largelyforgottentoday,Biafrawasabreak-awayprovinceofNigeriaandthesceneofabloodycivilwarinthe1960s.Biafra'spopulationlargelyconsistedoftheminorityIbopeople,whowereinrevoltagainstNigeria'smajorityHausaandFulanipeople.Whiletheworldcommunitytodaylookswithmorefavoronsecessionistregimes,inthe1960s,bothEastandWestunitedagainstBiafra,withonlyFranceprovidingassistancetotherebels.
Biafra'sdefeatwasfollowedbyaseriesofmassacresbybothofficialandmutinousNigeriantroops,furthercompoundedbydiseaseandfamine.Thisdisturbingworkhasbeenunavailablefor20years,butnowhascomebackintoprintwhenitsrelevancetoaworldofcivilwarsandethniccleansingisgreaterthanever.ThisnarrativeofThirdWorldcivilstrifeandGreatPowerduplicityismadeevenmorecompellingbytheskillsofamasterstoryteller. |
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