Makeba - the Miriam Makeba Story chronicles the life of Miriam Makeba from her early days of growing up in the township of Prospect in South Africa to the discovery of her remarkable musical talent, a talent which took her from performing in the nightclubs of Johannesburg, via Europe to America where she gained international stardom in the 1960s. We read of Makeba's early years in America where she formed friendships with the likes of Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Marlon Brando and gained political consciousness and confidence through her association with many African and African-American political activists at the United Nations, where she herself spoke out against apartheid. We later learn of her marriage to black rights activist Stokely Carmichael, their move to Guinea, Conakry where she lived for almost two decades, and her travels throughout Africa where she participated in the independence celebrations of various African countries. While Ms Makeba reflects on her life, she shares with us her own disappointments and hurts and the pain of her not being able to return to the country of her birth. Personal and political this book takes us on a journey till we read about Miriam's stay in Europe just before the release of Nelson Mandela and her homecoming after 31 years in exile. Colour and black and white photographs of Miriam touring and performing, of her fashions, her musicians and political friends, bring this book to life. A full discography and chronology of her awards and achievements round off this most fascinating and comprehensive work.