Moving the Centre: The Struggle for Cultural Freedoms (Studies in African Literature Series) [Paperback]

Ngugi wa Thiong'o (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0435080792 | ISBN-13: 978-0435080792 | Publication Date: January 18, 1993

Over the past four hundred years, world cultures have been dominated by a handful of Western nations. The West came to see itself as the center of the universe, and cultural power, as much as political and economic power, was controlled at the center.

In this collection of essays and lectures Ngugi is concerned with "moving the center" in two senses-between nation and within nations-in order to free world cultures from the restrictive walls of nationalism, class, race, and gender.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Moving the Centre . . . offers a valuable overview of the intellectual thinking of one of the most notable literary artists in Africa today.”–Afrika Focus

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (January 18, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435080792
• ISBN-13: 978-0435080792
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,204,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > African > East African

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most treasured book I own!, February 27, 2004

By 

Tracey Khan "Reviews4U" (Georgia, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moving the Centre: The Struggle for Cultural Freedoms (Studies in African Literature Series) (Paperback)

This book is a must read for anyone concerned or struggling with the equality of others or themselves. It is a must read for anyone who thinks they know why minorities are the way they are. It is a must read for disentangling nearly 600 years of global imperialism. Ngugi's book is also a must read for understanding what is happening today, to all of us.

This book is compact yet dense with insight. The chapters inside this book examine the need for "re-centering" culture and establishing cultural freedom presently hindered by Eurocentrism, colonialism, and the "imperialism of language." The chapter on the "Imperialism of Language" is my favorite because here Ngugi carefully examines a cultural by-product of Eurocentrism and colonialism, that is, the loss of language. He writes that the world today is "dominated by a handful of languages," which is quite awesome considering the multitude of languages that prevailed, without outside dominance, prior to 600 years ago, or even 150 years ago.

This small review does little justice to this book that has been read and re-read by me for several years now, always finding something more, or understanding more with every new reading. I am writing this review because I am giving my copy of this book to my son. He is ready for it now, after reading other books I have suggested to him so that he might understand his roots and his present. I do not believe in lending out any book you are not willing to loose (many people have asked to read this book but I have never allowed it to leave my home). I am looking to replace it already, hence, arriving here at Amazon and this review.