Dr Barton's book is a valuable addition to the history of Zambian economic policy. It highlights how Kaunda’s mistreatment of private investors scared away investment, and a lack of investment in or management of businesses had disastrous consequences for growth. Barton's account of the controversial mining privatisation process as a case of 'once bitten twice shy’ on the part of the industry, alongside unrealistic public expectations on mining tax, is much more convincing than the all too common narrative of exploitation by international capital and corrupt negotiators.