Triggered by the heroic death of Livingstone in 1873, in the following 30 years, five European powers had grabbed almost the whole of the 'dark' continent. Atrocities against indigenous populations were commonplace though by far the most villainous was Leopold II for whom the Congo State became his personal property. Pakenham recounts this tale of infamous and nefarious deeds with a fluency that belies its complexity. Be prepared for a stimulating but exceptionally long read.
(Jeremy Miller - bwl 99 Winter 2021 ) |
