Synopses & Reviews
Patrice Lumumba (1925andndash;61) was one of the most famous leaders of the African Independence Movement. After his murder, he became an icon of anti-imperialist struggle, and his picture, along with those of Che Guevara and Ho Chi Minh, was brandished around the worldand#160;at demonstrations in the 1960s.
This second edition of the only full biography of Lumumba presents his life and quest for the Congoandrsquo;s liberation, which influenced how the Cold War would be fought in Africa and the nature of the independence granted to huge swaths of the globe after 1945. For those fighting for freedom, Lumumba became a figure of resistance against the imperial colonizers of the world. Including new archival material and information gained from British intelligence, this new edition is a valuable introduction to a pivotal figure of the twentieth century.
Review
and#8220;An excellent introduction to the political and personal life of the most enigmatic African leader of the 20th century.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;In this well-researched book Leo Zeilig has done the valuable job of bringing to life Patrice Lumumba as a man, as well as showing the political context of Africa in the 1950s in the dying days of colonialism. This book is the key to understanding why Lumumba became such a potent myth.and#8221;
About the Author
Leo Zeilig is senior research fellow in the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and senior research associate with the Research Chair in Social Change at the University of Johannesburg. He is the author of several books on African politics and history.
Table of Contents
Landeacute;opoldandrsquo;s Congo
Early years: life in Onalua
Stanleyville: Bright lights, big city
Landeacute;opoldville: City of hope
Towards independence
Independence: 30 June 1960
Lumumbaandrsquo;s legacy
and#160;
Notes
Chronology
Sources and acknowledgements
Selected further readings
Picture Sources
Index