Book excerpt: This volume provides an accessible and up-to-date account of the difficulties that the Zimbabwean economy and its population experienced during the crisis which peaked in 2008. It details the suffering and chaos that befell the country with dramatic socio-economic consequences on growth, macroeconomic stability, service delivery, livelihoods, and development. The volume seeks to provide a political economy analysis of leadership and economic management in developing economies based on Zimbabwe's experience. It examines the triggers of the crisis, and the negative impact on productive sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture, social sectors such as education and health, and on financial services. The volume will be of interest to students of policy and economic management, as well as to government departments, central banks in developing countries, development agencies, donors, and NGOs.