Vladimir Shubin traces the influnce of the various foreign powers involved in the region during this period and their relationship to local movements and governments. He focuses on countries that experienced violent internal conflict and foreign intervention - Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Shubin provides a detailed analysis of the role played by the Soviet Union in these conflicts. Spanning 30 years, the book explores how each country struggled for genuine independence against colonialism and apartheid against the backdrop of the wider conflicts of the Cold War.

Introduction -- Angola -- Mozambique -- Zimbabwe -- Namibia -- Last but not least : South Africa -- Postscript.