Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia

Henze's Layers of Time is a narrative history of Ethiopia from earliest times through the first few years following the defeat of the Derg regime. It is well-written, with a solid bibliography that provides a useful starting-point for further research. That being said, it is important to note that Henze writes this history as a diplomat. On one hand, this provides him a storehouse of personal experience which he draws on in discussing the latest chapters of Ethiopian history, from the last years of Emperor Haile Selassie's reign forward. On the other hand, however, it soon becomes clear that Henze has a goal to his judgements on the actors in recent Ethiopian history. For example, about the only individuals who draw his disapproval are the former dictator of Ethiopia, Mengistu Haile Mariam, and his former colleagues in the Derg. He fails to criticize the actions of either the late Emperor Haile Selassie or the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (the current ruling party in Ethiopia); compare the account in Bahru Zewde's A Modern History of Ethiopia (1855-1994), second edition. Bahru is a trained Ethiopian historian, and his discussion of not only Haile Selassie and the Derg, but of the three important prior Emperors (Tewodros II, Yohannes IV and Menelik II) is notably less laudatory. As long as readers remember to distinguish between the facts and opinions set forth in this book, and that there are reasons to omit details other than lack of space, they will be able to enjoy the strengths of Henze's book.