Ethiopia under Hailé Selassié.

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The dramatic rise to power of Hailé Selassié, first as the regent, Tafari Makonnen, then as negus or king, and finally as emperor, is the main story of Mrs. Sandford’s book. His numerous reforms from 1930 on are described, cut short as they were by the Italian invasion. A chapter tells us of the emperor’s life in exile during the Italian occupation. Then comes the story of the lightning   campaign of British Empire troops, supported by forces of Ethiopian patriots, which liberated the country from Fascist domination; and we see the emperor back on his throne engaged with his British advisers in the reconstruction of his country. The author, wife of Brigadier D. A. Sandford, who led the patriot troops, has also another theme. She and her husband were, for some thirteen years, engaged in farming near the capital, Addis Ababa; she returned there in 1942 and is living there now. It is from personal experience that she writes of the country, its natural features and vegetation; of the people, their manners and customs and home life, their agriculture and social customs. There is information also about the Ethiopian Christian Church and the various races and religions represented in the Ethiopian empire. We learn something about its Parliament, about the eagerness of the people for education, about their aspirations for the future, and the growth of national sentiment. There is no more realistic and up-to-date account of Ethiopia, that ancient country of mystery.