The book delves into the brutal exploitation and colonization of the Congo Free State by King Leopold II of Belgium in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It exposes the horrific human rights abuses, including forced labor, violence, and mass killings, inflicted on the Congolese people under Leopold's regime, driven by the greed for rubber and ivory. The narrative also highlights the efforts of a few courageous individuals who campaigned against these atrocities, bringing international attention to the plight of the Congolese and ultimately leading to reforms. Through meticulous research, the book uncovers the dark legacy of colonialism and the enduring impact on the region.
Hochschild was born in New York City. As a college student, he spent a summer working on an anti-government newspaper in South Africa and subsequently worked briefly as a civil rights worker in Mississippi in 1964. Both were politically pivotal experiences about which he would later write in his book Finding the Trapdoor. He later was part of the movement against the Vietnam War, and, after several years as a daily newspaper reporter, worked as a writer and editor for the leftwing Ramparts maga…
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