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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A chilling history of the atrocities initiated by 1 man's greed. Also a powerful reminder (not that one was necessary) of how much lies and PR can shift public perception away from the truth.
What surprised me the most wasthat King Leopold's brutal system was not particularly exceptional, and yet it alone drew attention. Other European colonies put very similar forced labor practices in place around the same time (possibly inspired by Congo policies), and/or conducted outright genocide. However, these human rights violations were nearly completely ignored, whereas those same actions, when committed in the Congo, drew ire. Perhaps the only reason such large public opposition to atrocities in the Congo was able to build at all, was that it was an easy target; King Leopold II could easily be cast as a lone bad-actor (rather than implicating colonialism, and therefore every major power in the world), and the country he ruled, Belgium, had little power on the world stage.
The truth seems to be that Britain, France, and Germany were too powerful to oppose, and nationalist pride blinded most from hearing (or conceiving of) any argument that cast one's own nation's colonial expansion as anything other than just. And despite the arduous, and arguably successful, campaign against King Leopold's exploitation of the Congo, the system was left largely intact after the King was given a light scolding and a golden parachute.
The powerful rarely face consequences for their actions, as they have all the tools necessary to squash any angle for retribution.
What surprised me the most was
The truth seems to be that Britain, France, and Germany were too powerful to oppose, and nationalist pride blinded most from hearing (or conceiving of) any argument that cast one's own nation's colonial expansion as anything other than just. And despite the arduous, and arguably successful, campaign against King Leopold's exploitation of the Congo, the system was left largely intact after the King was given a light scolding and a golden parachute.
The powerful rarely face consequences for their actions, as they have all the tools necessary to squash any angle for retribution.
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
challenging
informative
medium-paced
This book delves into the brutal history of King Leopold's exploitation of the Congo following the European scramble for Africa. Leopold was driven by a desire for a colony and greed. He used the Congo like a criminal uses legal businesses to help cultivate a false reputation as a humanitarian while making himself rich. The author does a good job of highlighting the complicity of other nations and individuals who either believed the facade or profited from Leopold's ambitions.
The author also effectively highlights the Congolese leaders, missionaries, and travelers who worked to oppose his rule or expose Leopold's reign. The efforts to shed light on the Congo contributed to the emergence of the anti-colonialism and human rights movements that continue to this day.
I thought this book was accessible while providing a profound introduction to the Congo's history. It offered a clear and more respectful exploration of the horrors compared to Cobalt Red. One of its strengths is how it handles the limited Congolese source material. The author acknowledges biases and whitewashing in the sources he relied on, while emphasizing the importance of critical analysis. This approach contrasts with Cobalt Red, which felt voyeuristic in the portrayal of the Congo's current struggles, even while being impactful.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
Oof. This was hard to read, in multiple ways.
VERY important history to be aware of. The exploitation of the Congo that began under King Leopold is still being upheld in many ways today (see: Cobalt Red). And nearly everyone in the Western world and beyond benefits from this exploitation. The least we can do is be informed.
I did find this rather dense. I listened to the audiobook only and it was definitely not my favorite audiobook experience. It's the same audiobook that was originally recorded when the book was published and it feels dated.
I zoned out quite a lot, which is certainly a me problem, but I think could have been helped by a more engaging narrator. However, I definitely still learned a lot and feel the injustice so deeply.
Definitely recommend.
VERY important history to be aware of. The exploitation of the Congo that began under King Leopold is still being upheld in many ways today (see: Cobalt Red). And nearly everyone in the Western world and beyond benefits from this exploitation. The least we can do is be informed.
I did find this rather dense. I listened to the audiobook only and it was definitely not my favorite audiobook experience. It's the same audiobook that was originally recorded when the book was published and it feels dated.
I zoned out quite a lot, which is certainly a me problem, but I think could have been helped by a more engaging narrator. However, I definitely still learned a lot and feel the injustice so deeply.
Definitely recommend.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
After devoting my undergraduate studies to Holocaust testimony and literature, and reading about other horrendous genocides, I ask myself why I ought I pick up a book like "King Leopold's Ghost."
My answer is twofold:
1) Ignorance about past atrocities is the first step toward repeating atrocities.
2) No matter how great the evil becomes, there is always a voice of dissent, willing to speak for those who've been silenced, and to stand up to injustice.
My answer is twofold:
1) Ignorance about past atrocities is the first step toward repeating atrocities.
2) No matter how great the evil becomes, there is always a voice of dissent, willing to speak for those who've been silenced, and to stand up to injustice.
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder, Colonisation
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, Suicide, War