The Congo-Zaire Experience, 1960-98 [Hardcover]

Edgar O'Ballance (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0312227957 | ISBN-13: 978-0312227951

This is the exciting saga of the second largest country in Africa, one which has had a full experience of civil wars, tribal uprisings, revolts, plots against Presidents, and separatist invasions since being suddenly plunged into independence in 1960. The book examines how a UN force stepped in to prevent the mineral-rich province of Katanga from breaking away, staying for nearly four years, after which quarrelling war lords fought for central power. In 1965 Mobutu came to power ruling as a dictator of his Single Party State, until he was finally toppled in 1997 by a Tutsi-back invasion force led by Kabila.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a timely work that can shed some light on the ongoing conflict in that country."--Mathurin C. Houngnikpo, African Studies Review

About the Author

Edgar O'Ballance is a freelance journalist and author who has covered over 20 wars and insurgencies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312227957
• ISBN-13: 978-0312227951
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,283,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > History > Africa > Republic of the Congo

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Endless Tragedy, May 19, 2000

By 

Ruth Nelson (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Congo-Zaire Experience, 1960-98 (Hardcover)

Edgar O'Ballance gives an even-handed account of the tragic history of the Congo from its independence to 1998. Talk about a country that never got a break - from Belgian colonizers, cold-war intrigues, tribal rivalries, mercenaries and despots. As a journalist who has covered the country since 1960 and has interviewed a number of the major power-brokers, O'Ballance leads the reader through the timeline in detail and depth - though maybe more than a newcomer to the subject can initially grasp. This is an especially timely piece for anyone who wants to understand not only the complexities of the current war in the Congo, but also the troubles in neighboring countries, Rwanda and Burundi.