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Book of the Week: Two Weeks in November: The Astonishing Story of the Coup That Toppled Mugabe: Episode 4

Two Weeks in November: The Astonishing Story of the Coup That Toppled Mugabe

Episode 4

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Two Weeks in November: The Astonishing Story of the Coup That Toppled Mugabe, Episode 4

On 14 November 2017, Operation Restore Legacy in Zimbabwe is launched ruthlessly.

On 14 November 2017, Operation Restore Legacy in Zimbabwe is launched ruthlessly by the defence forces - not against a foreign power but against their own citizens.

A thrilling, surreal, unbelievable and sometimes even funny true story of four would-be enemies who team up to help unseat one of Africa’s longest serving dictators, Robert Mugabe. 

What begins as an improbable adventure destined for failure, marked by a mixture of bravery, strategic cunning and bumbling naiveté, soon turns into the most sophisticated political-military operation in African history. 

A high ranking politician, an exiled human rights lawyer, a dangerous spy and a low-key white businessman turned political fixer. By virtue of their being together, the unlikely team of misfit rivals is suddenly in position to spin what might have been seen as an illegal coup into a mass popular uprising that the world – and millions of Zimbabweans – will enthusiastically support.

The author Douglas Rogers is an award-winning journalist and travel writer who wrote The Last Resort: A memoir of Zimbabwe. He was born and raised in Zimbabwe and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Read by Joseph Kloska
Abridged by Polly Coles
Produced by Clive Brill

A Brill production for BBC Radio 4

Book of the Week: Two Weeks in November: The Astonishing Story of the Coup That Toppled Mugabe

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Douglas Rogers's story of the two weeks in November 2017 when Mugabe fell from power.

Douglas Rogers's incredible story of the two weeks in November 2017 when Mugabe fell from power

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