Includes bibliographical references (p.465-483) and index.

Part 1. The twilight years of monarchy. A glimpse of feudal life -- Being groomed for a post feudal world -- Early career and a surprise co up d'état -- More on the 1960 coup d'état -- In the service of the Im perial Ethiopian Government: the initial years -- In the service of the Imperial Ethiopian Government: the succeeding three years -- part 2. F in d'epoque. The monarchy on the eve -- The Interregnum: the opening fo ur and a half months of Endalkatchew Makonnen's premiership -- The Inte rregnum: the closing forty-one days of Michael Imru's premiership -- pa rt 3. Transition to an uncertain republic. The contrived revolution -- March towards Bloody Saturday -- The initial policy orientations of the military -- The parting of ways -- part 4. Exile years and the birth o f the Second Republic. The African Development Bank -- Mengistu falls a nd a Second Republic takes shape -- The Bank of Abyssinia -- Retirement : working with charities -- Retirement: a disagreeable but not unexpect ed episode -- part 5. Whither Ethiopia? Footprints of history -- The sh ape of things to come -- Conclusion.