In The Mau Mau Rebellion, the author describes the background to and the course of a short but brutal late colonial campaign in Kenya. The Mau Mau, a violent and secretive Kikuyu society, aimed to restore the proud tribes pre-colonial superiority and rule. The 1940s saw initial targeting of Africans working for the colonial government and by 1952 the situation had deteriorated so badly that a State of Emergency was declared. The plan for mass arrests leaked and many leaders and supporters escaped to the bush where the gangs formed a military structure. Brutal attacks on both whites and loyal natives caused morale problems and local police and military were overwhelmed. Reinforcements were called in, and harsh measures including mass deportation, protected camps, fines, confiscation of property and extreme intelligence gathering employed were employed. War crimes were committed by both sides during the course of a bitter and bloody 'small' war.

Chapter 1 : British East Africa -- Chapter 2 : The colonization of Kenya -- Chapter 3 : The emergence of the Mau Mau -- Chapter 4 : Declaration of the emergency -- Chapter 5 : The crisis deepens -- Chapter 6 : The military response -- Chapter 7 : Brigade operations June/July 1953 -- Chapter 8 : Consolidation 1953 -- Chapter 9 : Opening the offensive 1954 -- Chapter 10 : The initiative seized -- Chapter 11 : The defeat of Mau Mau 1955 -- Chapter 12 : Mopping up and independence.