Intimate Colonialism: Head, Heart, and Body in West African Development Work (Writing Lives) [Paperback]

Laurie L. Charlés (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1598741055 | ISBN-13: 978-1598741056

Laurie Charlés finished her Ph.D., then took off to West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. Asked to create programs to help adolescent girls stay in school, she found herself enmeshed in the politics and cultural barriers that prevent these girls from creating a better life. But that was not all that was enmeshed. Charlés found love, sexual fulfillment, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination, all of which further complexified her stated mission. Her candid assessment of life and work in Africa, the intimate relationships that gave hope to the possibility of change, the emotional and physical highs and lows that affected her ability to function, all become factors affecting her success in improving the lives of African girls. This eloquent narrative should be of interest both to those doing development work and to those interested in autoethnographic exploration of the self.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

A lyrical, autoethnographic study of a woman's Peace Corps tour, showing the personal, intimate side of development work and the lasting impressions on both the worker and the community.

About the Author

Laurie Charlés is assistant professor in the family therapy program at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, Graduate College of Education. She earned a Ph.D. in family therapy from Nova Southeastern University, then served in the Peace Corps in Togo.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Left Coast Press (June 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598741055
• ISBN-13: 978-1598741056
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,525,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > History > Africa > Togo

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Annoying and bogus academic pretensions, November 21, 2009

By 

minty - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Intimate Colonialism: Head, Heart, and Body in West African Development Work (Writing Lives) (Paperback)

"West African Development Work" means 16 months in the Peace Corps (the author didn't even finish her term of service). I don't resent Charles writing a memoir of her Peace Corps years, she's not the only one to try and cash in on culture shock and self-involvement. I object to her academic pretensions. I ordered this book because I thought it was written by someone with experience in "west african development work". What a joke. We learn that Togoans are good dancers and Africa agrees with Ms Charles. She loves the way she looks!

I concede the author is likeable. If she had marketed her book for what it is--- a memoir of a short period in her life--I wouldn't be grumbling.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, October 3, 2007

By 

H. N. Watkins (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Intimate Colonialism: Head, Heart, and Body in West African Development Work (Writing Lives) (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book. It was so informative and substantive. I got a great sense of the author, Togo and its people. How interesting to learn about "butt worship" and it's ode to the female form. It's no wonder why my African American brothers are so enamored with the booty since it's origins hail straight from the Motherland! Throughout, I found myself reading slowly savoring every word like I was eating a really good meal, felt like I experienced it as the author had--does the brain really know the difference?...hmm. All the food descriptions made me hungry and reminded me of my childhood and having a Nigerian neighbor who would cook okra soup and Fufu for us. Oh how we'd beg him to cook that soup with such a distinctive aroma and flavor!.....I also appreciated how fully present the author was during her experience-- so aware of herself, sexuality and how she was being experienced-- without being self-absorbed. My first read of an ethnographic research novel and I was very pleased. I like this academic approach and still felt general happiness of a person having few complaints, very reality based without trying to transcend her humanity...eager to read more of her work and in this genre!