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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
A very disturbing book that puts light on colonialism. Hochschild writers very well; at no point is the book boring nor does it read like a list. Hochschild is also even headed. He doesn't whitewash - good guys have flaws, and he mentions them. Hochschild does make the reader think about how the West sees Africa not only during the colonial period but even today. It is a book everyone in Europe and the United States should read. What I really enjoyed was the fact that Hochschild doesn't just focus on Leopald but on reactions to Leopald. Hochschild shows us what Europeans, Americans, and Africans did to combat Leopald. I enjoyed the unearthing of previously little known heros like Sheppard. I will not ever be able to look at the Stanley and Livingston story the same way ever again.
It also makes you look at how such myths still survive. Look at History Channel's Expedition Africa, for instance. On that show, one Brit and three Americans follow Stanley's journey, but do their porters get any credit? Not really. I'm suppose to be impressed by the four "explorers". I'm suppose to think one of them is da bomb because he had to eat his dog on one of his expeditions. Why does this make him "da bomb"? (As a totally inappropriate aside, what is it with Brits and tampons? They can't just say tampon; they have to say woman's tampon. Is there a man's tampon, and if so what does it do? And why does woman's tampon sound dirtier than just tampon?). The myths that the History Channel (or the producers) play on are addressed in this book.
King Leopold's Ghost should also be read with [b:Heart of Darkness|4900|Heart of Darkness (Green Integer)|Joseph Conrad|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165482062s/4900.jpg|2877220] because Hochschild shows how Conrad responded to what he saw.
It also makes you look at how such myths still survive. Look at History Channel's Expedition Africa, for instance. On that show, one Brit and three Americans follow Stanley's journey, but do their porters get any credit? Not really. I'm suppose to be impressed by the four "explorers". I'm suppose to think one of them is da bomb because he had to eat his dog on one of his expeditions. Why does this make him "da bomb"? (As a totally inappropriate aside, what is it with Brits and tampons? They can't just say tampon; they have to say woman's tampon. Is there a man's tampon, and if so what does it do? And why does woman's tampon sound dirtier than just tampon?). The myths that the History Channel (or the producers) play on are addressed in this book.
King Leopold's Ghost should also be read with [b:Heart of Darkness|4900|Heart of Darkness (Green Integer)|Joseph Conrad|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165482062s/4900.jpg|2877220] because Hochschild shows how Conrad responded to what he saw.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
King Leopold is one of the most infamous characters in 19th century Europe. He started the "Scramble for Africa," and is responsible for the suffering and death of millions of Congolese people. To this day, the Congo still feels the repercussions of Belgium's colonization and tyranny.
King Leopold's Ghost tells us the story of this man, his rise to power, and the colonies in Africa. Hochschild reminds the reader often that we don't have many accounts from the people in the Congo and the horrors they faced are largely unknown.
The story captured my attention and I never found myself bored. Hochschild's writing is carefully intentional to show respect to the people who lost their lives while giving every character the depth they had while living. This story is important today, especially the part about American selective activism. Who do we mourn for, and why? This is a question Hochschild tactfully poses and will sit with the reader for awhile.
King Leopold's Ghost tells us the story of this man, his rise to power, and the colonies in Africa. Hochschild reminds the reader often that we don't have many accounts from the people in the Congo and the horrors they faced are largely unknown.
The story captured my attention and I never found myself bored. Hochschild's writing is carefully intentional to show respect to the people who lost their lives while giving every character the depth they had while living. This story is important today, especially the part about American selective activism. Who do we mourn for, and why? This is a question Hochschild tactfully poses and will sit with the reader for awhile.
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Terrifyingly illuminating.
"And yet the world we live in—its divisions and conflicts, its widening gap between rich and poor, its seemingly inexplicable outbursts of violence—is shaped far less by what we celebrate and mythologize than by the painful events we try to forget. Leopold's Congo is but one of those silences of history."
"And yet the world we live in—its divisions and conflicts, its widening gap between rich and poor, its seemingly inexplicable outbursts of violence—is shaped far less by what we celebrate and mythologize than by the painful events we try to forget. Leopold's Congo is but one of those silences of history."
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Everyone should read this book. From start to finish, you learn about how weak, pathetic men in positions of power use their wealth and influence to subjugate and colonize millions of people. The people of Congo, rightfully pointed out by the author, have been systematically forgotten and this books shines a cold light on their history.
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
An outstanding and detailed history of the horrific colonization of the Congo by Belgium. Engagingly written, and the author lets the facts speak for themselves rather than inserting his own opinions - which would be tempting considering the events he documents are hard to describe as anything other than evil. If there’s one thing I wish was included, it would be a little more information about the contemporary defenders of King Leopold’s legacy, which he alludes to a few times. But perhaps they’re so disreputable they don’t need a platform.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced