Dr. Hadfield served in Northern Rhodesia first as a teacher of history at Murati
Secondary School for Africans and then as an economist in the Ministry of
Agriculture.
Coming into the Colonial Service comparatively late in life. Dr. Hadfield brought
with him the experience gained in other fields which has sharpened his vision of the
African scene and the result is a shrewd account of the history and contemporary life in
Northern Rhodesia.
Little of this well-researched book of some 138 pages is devoted to Dr. Hadfield's
own life, which is a pity as one feels that he had much more to tell of his personal
experiences. He has, however, produced a brief history of Northern Rhodesia, with
particular reference to the education provided for the African population and African
agriculture. Living in Northern Rhodesia during the years of the Central African
Federation, his cover of this ill-starred episode is of particular interest.
Dr. Hadfield is always fair with criticism and credit, giving both with equal
impartiality. Anyone who lived in Northern Rhodesia at the same time as the author
will appreciate his honesty and accurate reportage of the country as he saw it and find
much with which to agree.
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