From Kapuściński’s vast list of writings that I’ve read, this one ranks as one of my favorites. At times it reads more like a travelogue than historical work – but he’s a journalist so he does it well. The only thing that I never quite get over is his lack of citations and bibliography. I know he talked and traveled a lot, so much of his writing comes from just knowing things but he had to have done some research. All in all – good read.

A Polish journalist spends 30+ years in Africa and writes a lyrical portrait of the continent. Eyes wide open he captures the flavour of the place, the variety of experience, the hopes, the triumphs and the disasters. Everyday life, normalcy and

It’s as if there is no topic that hasn’t been considered and he always finds the essence of matter and traces the various trends at work: his take on the lure of the city, the youth of the continent are prescient.
His take on Idi Amin is priceless, but even that is just one of the many sharply-focused pieces he addresses. By the time he gets to Rwanda you are overwhelmed.

One of the best books ever-written on Africa period.