Penguin Modern Classics

As Minister for Culture, the Honourable M. A. Nanga is ''a man of the people'', as cynical as he is charming, and a roguish opportunist. At first, the contrast between Nanga and Odili, a former pupil who is visiting the ministry, appears huge. But in the ''eat-and-let-eat'' atmosphere, Odili''s idealism soon collides with his lusts - and the two men''s personal and political tauntings threaten to send their country into chaos. Published, prophetically, just days before Nigeria''s first attempted coup in 1966, A Man of the People is an essential part of his body of work dealing with modern African history.