"The destruction of Zimbabwe's economy and institutions over the last four decades has been nothing short of spectacular. This carefully researched book shows that the cause of this carnage is the attempts of Robert Mugabe's regime to survive by polarizing society, rewarding the regime's cronies and weakening the economy. A must-read for anybody interested in learning from Zimbabwe's mistakes so that we can better defend against other autocrats doing the same." (Daron Acemoglu, Elizabeth and James Killian, Professor of Economics at MIT, and co-author of Why Nations Fail - The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty) "If you want an authoritative, dispassionate and forensic analysis of Zimbabwe's catastrophic economic decline, set in political context, go straight for this definitive work by Hawkins and Simpson. Their exposure of the way the country's ruling Zanu-PF party turned a oncethriving economy into a milch cow for an elite, whilst systematically subjugating dissent and enforcing an increasingly despotic regime, makes for an engrossing read. The authors pose some awkward questions about the performance of the IMF and the World Bank: should they have done more to expose Mugabe's venal regime? And above all, are they in danger of making the same mistake when dealing with the new regime of President Emmerson Mnangagwa?" (Michael Holman, former Africa editor of the Financial Times) "The book describes the economic and political history of post-independence Zimbabwe. It focusses on the causes of the country's economic collapse, and details the policies and processes that drove it. It is the only volume I've seen of its kind that covers the entire post-independence period.

The referencing is outstanding and it shows genuine scholarship. Its primary strength is readability. It is a book that an interested layman would find fascinating and I'd see the international diplomatic and economic community being genuinely interested. It is also well referenced, bringing in both general theory and local documents. Both authors have impeccable credentials." (Tony Leiman, former Director of the Environmental-Economics Policy Research Unit) "When it comes to understanding the huge challenge of doing business and trying to make sustainable economic policy in Zimbabwe and across the continent, no one knows more about the history, theory and harsh realities than Tony Hawkins. At a time of momentous change in Harare and across Southern Africa, this timely study with coauthor Mark Simpson is a must read for anyone who wants to know if economic prospects are set to take a turn for the better. And I'm pretty sure I know what the Hawkins view will be - 'Don't hold your breath!'" (Ed Balls, Former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (2011-2015) and Economic Secretary (HM Treasury, 2006-2007)).