Congo
The Epic History of a People
1st Edition
Published on 11. June 2024
658 pages
978-0-06-220013-6 (ISBN)
Description
"A magnificent, epic look at the history of the region.... A monumental contribution to the annals of Congo scholarship" (
Christian Science Monitor).
The International Bestseller
From the beginnings of the slave trade through colonization, the struggle for independence, Mobutu's brutal three decades of rule, and the civil war that has raged from 1996 to the present day, Congo: The Epic History of a Peopletraces the history of one of the most devastated nations in the world. Esteemed scholar David Van Reybrouck balances hundreds of interviews with a diverse range of Congolese with meticulous historical research to construct a multidimensional portrait of a nation and its people.
Epic in scope yet eminently readable, both penetrating and deeply moving, Congo-a finalist for the Cundill Prize-takes a deeply humane approach to political history, focusing squarely on the Congolese perspective, and returns a nation's history to its people.
"A compelling mixture of literary and oral history that delivers an authentic story of how European colonialism, African resistance, and the endless exploitation of natural resources affected the lives of the Congolese." - Booklist
"A vivid panorama of one of the most tormented lands in the world." - Washington Post
The International Bestseller
From the beginnings of the slave trade through colonization, the struggle for independence, Mobutu's brutal three decades of rule, and the civil war that has raged from 1996 to the present day, Congo: The Epic History of a Peopletraces the history of one of the most devastated nations in the world. Esteemed scholar David Van Reybrouck balances hundreds of interviews with a diverse range of Congolese with meticulous historical research to construct a multidimensional portrait of a nation and its people.
Epic in scope yet eminently readable, both penetrating and deeply moving, Congo-a finalist for the Cundill Prize-takes a deeply humane approach to political history, focusing squarely on the Congolese perspective, and returns a nation's history to its people.
"A compelling mixture of literary and oral history that delivers an authentic story of how European colonialism, African resistance, and the endless exploitation of natural resources affected the lives of the Congolese." - Booklist
"A vivid panorama of one of the most tormented lands in the world." - Washington Post
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Person
David Van Reybrouck is an award-winning author, acclaimed playwright, reporter, and poet who holds a doctorate from Leiden University. He has traveled extensively throughout Africa and has been actively involved in organizing literary workshops for young Congolese writers. He lives in Brussels.
