This is the previously untold story of the remarkable relationship between a young British diplomat and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia from the latter’s Coronation in 1930 until his murder in 1975. Based on Chapman-Andrew’s diary, the core of the book describes the extraordinary SOE operation in 1940 to re-instate the Emperor on his throne after being driven out by the invading Italians. Together with the legendary Orde Wingate, Chapman-Andrews accompanied the Emperor through Italian occupied Ethiopia and, after many adventures, the vital mission was accomplished. Later Chapman-Andrews was a key figure during the Suez Crisis and in Britain’s relations with Egypt and Sudan as well as Ethiopia.
Sir Peter Leslie is married to Chapman-Andrew's daughter hence his unrestricted access to those fascinating yet previously unpublished diaries.