Angola in the Front Line (1983)

This is a comprehensive account of Angola's struggle since Independence to build a new society. The authors base their account on both published and unpublished materials, inter- views with key figures and their own observations.
Part One tells how a free Angola was born in 1975-76 out of war with South Africa, Zaire and the West's Angolan proteges. It shows the military response of its fledgling armed forces, later reinforced by Cuban assistance.
Part Two details the growth of factionalism within MPLA, the attempted right-wing coup led by Nito Alves in 1977, and its aftermath.

The daunting tasks of reconstruction — in the face of constant South African aggression and an ongoing threat from UNITA — are then described. The authors analyze the policies and methods adopted to overcome the problems arising from the colonial legacy of social and economic neglect, and discuss MPLA's important decision to form a Marxist-Leninist party in Angola.