by Adam Hochschild, 1998, Audiobook on cassette tapes narrated by Geoffrey Howard released in 2010, Books on Tape, Random House Audio

This book is an indictment of the colonization of the Congo by King Leopold of Belgium. It recounts the horrors inflicted on the native population, including the stealing of their lands, the forcing of them into slavery, the rape and hostage taking of their women and children, and the cutting off of their hands. What is particularly appalling is the fictional picture of enlightened benevolence that Leopold managed to portray for so many years. The cover up and lies fooled so many people for so long.

The system that was instituted by Leopold in the Congo resulted in the deaths of millions of native Africans but is largely forgotten when compared to the Holocaust and the Gulags of Stalin’s Russia. This book brings the devastation into focus and highlights how a people can have such a short memory when it comes to the history of their country.

I liked that the author gave a short follow up as to the fate of each of the principal characters in the book. He also gave a short history of what happened in the Congo in more modern times. This provided me with an appreciation of the impact of King Leopold’s rule on the lives of these individuals and the eventual fate of the Congo.

Hothchild’s research and writing are superb and the Geoffrey Howard’s narration strikes a tone that is perfectly appropriate to the events. This is a book well worth reading.