Portugal's departure from Africa, and the role that the United States played in this process, is an extraordinarily important and tragic episode of the Cold War era. Drawing on voluminous declassified official documents, combined with interviews with virtually all of the principal policy makers of the era, Witney Schneidman has written an excellent diplomatic history on the making of U.S. policy toward Africa. He also tells a fascinating story.

Gerald J. Bender, Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California

Engaging Africa is a compelling story. For those interested in the history of U.S. policy toward Africa, this book is essential reading.

Susan E. Rice, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

This is a superb diplomatic narrative of the competing national interests shaping U.S. policy towards Portugal and its colonial empire in Africa, when the 'winds of change' were blowing across the African continent. Schneidman provides a vivid description of the maneuverings behind the policy debates and colorful insights of the personalities involved during this important, often forgotten, moment in history.

Ambassador Paul Hare, U.S. Special Representative to the Angolan Peace Process, 1993-1998

This is the best study of U.S. relations with Portugal and Portuguese Africa from Kennedy through Ford, the difficult years when U.S. policymakers had to decide how best to respond to Lisbon's efforts to retain the Portuguese empire in Africa.

Piero Gleijeses, Professor of American Foreign Policy, Johns Hopkins University, author of Conflicting Missions: Havana, Washington and Africa, 1

This book, a must-read for anyone interested in decolonization or Cold War diplomacy, is the definitive diplomatic history of U.S.-Portuguese relations in the 1960s and 1970s, in the context of Portugal's 1974 revolution and the end of its African empire.

Nicholas Van De Walle, Foreign Affairs

Portuguese Africa and Portugal is a dramatic story, unique in the annals of history. Witney Schneidman has rendered a great service by taking on a neglected tale and telling it extremely well. . . . The description of postrevolutionary Portugal is as accurate as any I have seen.

Frank C. Carlucci, III, former U.S. Ambassador to Portugal