Patrice Lumumba: Africa's Lost Leader (Life&Times) [Paperback]

Leo Zeilig (Author)

Book Description

Series: Life&Times | Publication Date: June 1, 2008

Accessible and affordable illustrated biography about a topical historical figure - no competing title

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Patrice Lumumba, murdered at the age of 35 in 1961, was prime minister of newly independent Congo for just seven months. The Belgian imperialists, desperate to eliminate him from history, had him shot and his body dissolved in acid. As the news came out, weeks later, mass demonstrations shook capitals across the world. Malcolm X described Lumumba as "the greatest black man who ever walked the African continent". Patrice Lumumba was a new icon of resistance - His blistering speech at the Congo's independence celebrations is alone worth buying this book - the Belgians successfully fostered ethnic and regional divisions to protect their mining interests and launched a military uprising - this is not just a heroic and tragic story, it is a vital lesson for struggles today and in the future...' Simon Hester, Socialist Review --This text refers to the Digital edition.

About the Author

Leo Zeilig coordinated the Independent Media Centre in Zimbabwe during the Presidential Elections of 2002 and, prior to this, worked as a lecturer at Universite Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal. He is currently a Research Fellow at the Centre of Sociological Research at the University of Johannesburg.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Haus Publishing (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190579102X
• ISBN-13: 978-1905791026
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > History > Africa > Republic of the Congo
  • #28 in Books > History > Africa > Democratic Republic of Congo
  • #58 in Books > History > Africa > Central Africa

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great study of this powerful leader, March 18, 2010

By 

James D. Crabtree "Doc Crabtree" (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Patrice Lumumba: Africa's Lost Leader (Life&Times) (Paperback)

Lumumba was a great leader who emerged in the aftermath of the decolonization of Africa and a self-made man, an especially difficult proposition in the Belgian Congo. The author packs a lot in this short book, looking at Patrice Lumumba's early life, his political aspirations and eventual downfall. This book draws the reader in, makes them interested in the story and is generally enjoyable. The book has red text for sidebars and prompts at the bottom of each page, which I personally found to be a very helpful feature.

The one flaw I found in this book was, in his discussion of Lumumba's image after his death, that he completely neglects to mention the role of the Lumumba cult in the Simba uprising. Several people were murdered at the Lumumba Memorial in Stanleyville and a few others narrowly avoided this fate. As long as we're talking about Lumumba's impact on the Congo, shouldn't that have been included?

Even if you're not that interested in African history this is still a great book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Show me a Hero......., May 29, 2009

By 

Steven C. Thedford "Author Kwanzaa Coloring Book" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Patrice Lumumba: Africa's Lost Leader (Life&Times) (Paperback)

The book describes the dynamic Patrice Lumumba, who had such high hopes for the Congo and an excellent plan for its independence. Yet,
as detailed throughout book, interest around the world had other plans. Moreover, the author describes the motivation of the Western world
not to support Lumumuba's design for the development of Congo, they did not want threaten business inthe region. As a result, in 1960 the country almost disintegrated into civil war. More than that, the book displays how the lack of emphasize on the development of the Congo during its first year of colonial rule has served as the origin of strife in the country in the 21 Century.