Best Central Africa History Books of 2025

Cobalt Red is a groundbreaking exposé of the immense toll taken on the people and environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by cobalt mining. Investigator Siddharth Kara has traveled deep into cobalt territory to document the testimonies of the people living and dying for cobalt. The book reveals the brutal mining practices, traces the supply chain of child-mined cobalt, and gathers shocking testimonies of people who endure immense suffering. Kara argues that we must all care about what is happening in the Congo because we are all implicated. This is a crucial book for anyone interested in environmental economics and human rights.

Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden is a gripping account of the intense firefight involving American troops in Somalia, making it the longest firefight since the Vietnam War. The book narrates the events of October 3, 1993, when a hundred elite U.S. soldiers were to abduct two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord but ended up fighting thousands of heavily-armed Somalis all night. Bowden's minute-by-minute narrative, backed by interviews, army records, audiotapes, and videos, captures the heroism, courage, and brutality of modern combat. This Grove Press paperback edition is a must-read for history buffs and anyone interested in the military.

King Leopold's Ghost is an enthralling account of King Leopold II's genocidal plundering of the Congo River region, which ultimately slashed its population by ten million. The book is a haunting portrait of a megalomaniac and the brave individuals who fought against him. The author, Adam Hochschild, skillfully brings the largely untold story alive with fascinating characters and intense drama. This book is a must-read for those interested in the history of colonial Africa and the first great human rights movement of the twentieth century.

White Malice: The CIA and the Covert Recolonization of Africa is a revealing account of how the US systematically undermined postcolonial African independence movements. Susan Williams uncovers the covert operations carried out by the CIA from Ghana to the Congo to the UN, which aimed to frustrate and deny Africa's new generation of nationalist leaders. Through original research and recently declassified documents, Williams introduces readers to the idealistic African leaders and the secret agents, ambassadors, and even presidents who deliberately worked against them. This book is a significant contribution to the history of Africa in the context of the Cold War and the struggle for African influence and control.

This book, written by Senegalese historian and scholar of Afrocentricity Cheikh Anta Diop, compares the political and social systems of Europe and black Africa from antiquity to the formation of modern states. The author demonstrates the black contribution to the development of Western civilization. The book analyzes the concept of caste, socio-political evolution of the ancient city, formation of modern European states, political and economic organization in black Africa, ideological superstructure, intellectual level, teaching and education, technical level, and migrations and formation of present-day African peoples. In conclusion, Precolonial Black Africa is an insightful read that sheds light on the social structures of black Africa and its contribution to Western civilization.

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families is a captivating and award-winning book by Philip Gourevitch. The book provides a detailed firsthand account of the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath. With vivid descriptions of the psychological and political challenges of survival, the author also explores the quest for justice and the temptations of revenge. Gourevitch's writing style is both scholarly and novelistic, making the book an engaging read. Overall, We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families is a unique and moving contribution to the literature of witness, providing insights into the struggle to forge habitable political orders and the resilience of the human spirit even in times of extremity.

This book, Black God: An Introduction to the World's Religions and Their Black Gods, by historian Supreme Understanding, is a comprehensive exploration of the Black gods of the ancient world, from Africa to the Americas. The author delves into the origins of the many Black gods and goddesses, their significance, and how they came to be worshipped. The book offers a fascinating insight into the world's religions and their Black gods, shedding light on the often-overlooked contributions of Black people to the development of religious beliefs. Overall, Black God is an eye-opening read that challenges traditional religious beliefs and highlights the importance of understanding the diversity of religious practices around the world.

The Fate of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence by Martin Meredith is a comprehensive account of the African nations after they emerged from colonialism. The book covers key personalities, events, and themes of the independence era, explaining the myriad problems that Africa has faced in the past half-century. Meredith's work is a masterpiece, providing readers with a deep understanding of Africa's past and present. He isn't afraid of expressing his opinion, but he presents basic realities for readers to draw their own conclusions. This book is an important work on Africa that is both informative and captivating.

Shake Hands with the Devil is a harrowing account of Canadian General Romeo Dallaire's time as force commander of the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda. With only a handful of troops, Dallaire witnessed the genocide of over 800,000 Rwandans in just 100 days. He chronicles his own emotional journey from confident commander to retired general struggling with PTSD. Although the book is at times thick with descriptions of Dallaire's movements and meetings, it offers a unique insight into the emotional toll of military service and the failures of the international community to prevent genocide. A must-read for those interested in Central African history and military memoirs.

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Capetown is a thrilling account of Paul Theroux's journey across Africa, using a variety of modes of transportation. In his witty and observant writing style, Theroux shares his encounters with Africans, aid workers, missionaries, and tourists, offering an insightful meditation on the history, politics, and beauty of Africa and its people. This book offers a sobering look at the social and political chaos in which much of Africa finds itself while still making one fall in love with the continent. Overall, Dark Star Safari is a masterwork by a master writer that armchair travelers will enjoy.