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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, War, Classism
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Important look at colonial greed in the Congo, the beginnings of WW1 and the roots of modern human rights organizations. Hochschild draws nuanced portraits of historical figures involved and includes extensive footnotes for further research. Not an easy read - an estimated 10 million died - but a fascinating one. By the end you'll want to revisit the high school English staple, Heart of Darkness, albeit with a new perspective.
I had hoped that this book would focus more on the "ghost" of King Leopold- that is, the long-term ramifications of colonialism and slavery that began under Leopold's rule that continued throughout the twentieth century- but alas, it is largely about King Leopold himself and his contemporaries. Still a worthwhile, if brutal read. Over ten million people died in the Congo after Leopold took control, largely due to the rubber industry that enslaved, terrorized, and mass murdered the Congolese people for profit. There are chilling parallels to the cobalt mining industry that currently serves the same role in the Congo. The last part of this book focuses on white activists that worked to spread awareness of the human rights violations occurring in the Congo. These activists didn't get very far, although the author speaks highly of their efforts. Again, this seems very similar to what is happening today in the Congo- anybody with wifi can easily access information about the modern day slavery and gruesome humanitarian crises in this region, but most people remain ignorant and uncaring of the issue because to do otherwise would threaten their way of life.
4.5⭐
First thing first, if you are interested in the history of Congo but don't want to read the book, consider watching the documentary on Prime Video. It's not an easy watch but it's highly informative. It also gives more details about how and why democracy has consistently been sabotaged since the country's independence in 1960.
About the book.... for some reason, the first 40% was a slog, more focused on Leopold's life and motivations. However, I am glad I pushed through. This book was very informative. I am shocked I knew so little about this man and the atrocities he committed.
Highly recommend.
First thing first, if you are interested in the history of Congo but don't want to read the book, consider watching the documentary on Prime Video. It's not an easy watch but it's highly informative. It also gives more details about how and why democracy has consistently been sabotaged since the country's independence in 1960.
About the book.... for some reason, the first 40% was a slog, more focused on Leopold's life and motivations. However, I am glad I pushed through. This book was very informative. I am shocked I knew so little about this man and the atrocities he committed.
Highly recommend.
Fantastic, eye-opening book. While there are plenty of horrific stories to tell about colonialism in Africa, this book links together several fascinating characters of the time and creates an impressive narrative that captures the positive and negative movements of the period. Importantly, it keeps pace and the story generally moves forward smoothly. Whereas many non-fiction books feel too long and you begin to feel like 'okay, wrap it up already' this book manages to largely avoid that. It also concludes by mitigating the sense of sounding too self-righteous (in many ways the Congo was nothing out of the ordinary) without undermining the power of the story. Finally, the ending is bittersweet in its refusal to overplay the accomplishments of the protagonist and instead accepts the sad reality of the limits of his activism. Very good book.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Incredibly well composed. A thoroughly harrowing account, driven by equal sensitivity and an undeniable rage. Leopold must never rest.
Hear how the demons chuckle and yell
Cutting his hands off, down in hell.
Hear how the demons chuckle and yell
Cutting his hands off, down in hell.
I know I should finish it but it’s infuriating and exhausting to read about these horrific men.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery
i’d heard about some of the stuff leopold had done in the congo, but man i truly did not understand the scale or extent.