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A review by ccallan
Congo. Een geschiedenis by David Van Reybrouck
4.0
A very readable account of the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from a thousand years ago up to 2010. Van Reybrouck doesn't just run through events, he interviews hundreds of people about their personal experience as far back as the late nineteenth century, supplemented by accounts of people's parents and grandparents. He travels all over the country, talks to everyone from from former Force Publique soldiers to current pop stars, who are like gods in the Congo.
Some of the translations are a bit shaky, and the English version that I read could have used a proofreader. But these are quibbles about a well written book that covers well a country often reported on in clichés.
A sympathetic account of a beautiful country with a tragic history.
Some of the translations are a bit shaky, and the English version that I read could have used a proofreader. But these are quibbles about a well written book that covers well a country often reported on in clichés.
A sympathetic account of a beautiful country with a tragic history.