Popular African Historical Books
Find historical books written by authors from Africa for the next part of the Read Around The World Challenge. (54)
Tunisia22.
Les jardins du roi : Oufkir, Hassan II et nous by Fatéma Oufkir FR
MoroccoDescription:
En 1991, Fatéma Oufkir et ses enfants recouvrent la liberté, après dix-neuf ans d'une détention inique. Leur crime ? Avoir eu pour mari et pour père le général Oufkir, ministre de l'Intérieur marocain, " suicidé " en 1972 à l'issue d'un putsch manqué contre le roi Hassan Il. Un destin qu'était loin d'imaginer l'adolescente Fatéma, lorsque, dans les années 50, ce jeune Officier, farouche partisan de l'indépendance, la demanda en mariage. Après l'accession au trône de Mohammed V, Fatéma devient l'une des personnalités choyées de la cour, en tant qu'épouse d'un des plus grands serviteurs de l'Eta... continue
23.
Long Walk to Freedom : The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela EN
Country: Africa / 
South Africa
South Africa
Description:
The riveting memoirs of the outstanding moral and political leader of our time, A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM brilliantly re-creates the drama of the experiences that helped shape Nelson Mandela's destiny. Emotive, compelling and uplifting, A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM is the exhilarating story of an epic life; a story of hardship, resilience and ultimate triumph told with the clarity and eloquence of a born leader. 'Burns with the luminosity of faith in the invincible nature of human hope and dignity ... Unforgettable' Andre Brink 'Enthralling ... Mandela emulates the few great political leaders such as L... continue
24.
Machete season by Jean Hatzfeld EN
Country: Africa / 
Madagascar
Madagascar
Description:
A veteran foreign correspondent shares a collection of interviews with ten Hutu men--all tried, convicted, and sentenced for the genocidal killings of their Tutsi neighbors--as they describe their participation in the heinous crimes and their reasons for the murders, in a study that considers the roots of human morality and ethics. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.
25.
Of Water and the Spirit—Ritual, Magic, and Initiation in the Life of an African Shaman by Malidoma Patrice Somé EN
Country: Africa / 
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Description:
Maliodoma Patrice Some was born in a Dagara Village, however he was soon to be abducted to a Jesuit school, where he remained for the next fifteen years, being harshly indoctrinated into european ways of thought and worship. The story tells of his return to his people, his hard initiation back into those people, which lead to his desire to convey their knowledge to the world. Of Water and the Spirit is the result of that desire; it is a sharing of living African traditions, offered in compassion for those struggling with our contemporary crisis of the spirit.
26.
One Day I Will Write about This Place by Binyavanga Wainaina EN
KenyaDescription:
A groundbreaking memoir by the acclaimed Kenyan Caine Prize winner.
27.
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad EN
EgyptDescription:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From award-winning novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad comes a powerful reckoning with what it means to live in a West that betrays its fundamental values "[A] bracing memoir and manifesto."—The New York Times “I can’t think of a more important piece of writing to read right now. I found hope here, and help, to face what the world is now, all that it isn’t anymore. Please read this. I promise you won’t regret it.”—Tommy Orange, bestselling author of Wandering Stars and There There On October 25, 2023, after just three weeks of the bombardment of Gaza, Omar El Akka... continue
28.
Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga EN
RwandaDescription:
Introducing Scholastique Mukasonga to the UK: a major international author and her brilliant and award-winning first novel.
29.
Second-class Citizen by Buchi Emecheta EN
NigeriaDescription:
When Adah's dream of moving to England becomes a reality, she soon discovers that life for a young Nigerian woman living in London in the 1960s is far from what she had imagined. The cold weather and cramped, crumbling accommodation might become bearable, were it not for her tyrannical husband who abuses the power conferred on him by traditional Igbo culture and provides precious little support of any kind. As Adah finds herself providing for her rapidly growing family - rescuing her children from the hands of a slovenly childminder, learning the unspoken rules of society and negotiating every... continue
30.
Sie wäre König by Wayétu Moore DE
LiberiaDescription:
»Nicht ein einziges Mädchen gab es bei den Vai, das so war wie Gbessa, deren Fluch nicht nur in der Unfähigkeit zu sterben bestand, sondern auch darin, wie der Tod sie verhöhnte ...« 1831: Im westafrikanischen Lai wird die rothaarige Gbessa von ihrer Dorfgemeinschaft verstoßen, weil sie eine Hexe sein soll. Auf einer Plantage in Virginia muss der junge Sklave June Dey die Flucht antreten, da in ihm eine Kraft steckt, die die Aufseher in Angst und Schrecken versetzt. Und in den Blue Mountains von Jamaika kann Norman Aragon auf magische Weise den Fängen sein... continue