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My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria (Verso's Southern Questions)

Description:

“We who have been colonized can never forget”

Andrée Blouin—once called the most dangerous woman in Africa—played a leading role in the struggles for decolonization that shook the continent in the 1950s and ’60s, advising the postcolonial leaders of Algeria, both Congos, Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea, and Ghana.

In this autobiography, Blouin retraces her remarkable journey as an African revolutionary. Born in French Equatorial Africa and abandoned at the age of three, she endured years of neglect and abuse in a colonial orphanage, which she escaped after being forced by nuns into an arranged marriage at fifteen. She later became radicalized by the death of her two-year-old son, who was denied malaria medication by French officials because he was one-quarter African.

In Guinea, where Blouin was active in Sékou Touré’s campaign for independence, she came into contact with leaders of the liberation movement in the Belgian Congo. Blouin witnessed the Congolese tragedy up close as an adviser to Patrice Lumumba, whose arrest and assassination she narrates in unforgettable detail.

Blouin offers a sweeping survey of pan-African nationalism, capturing the intricacies of revolutionary diplomacy, comradeship, and betrayal. Alongside intimate portraits of the movement’s leaders, Blouin provides insights into the often-overlooked contribution of African women in the struggle for independence.
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Embodying pan-Africanism, Blouin befriended, counseled or lobbied the first presidents or prime ministers of Algeria, both Congos, Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea and Ghana."
—Stuart A. Reid, New York Times

"An amazingly good and moving description of a childhood blighted by the horrors of colonialism, told by an extraordinary woman … Riveting."
—Jessica Mitford

"A penetrating study of colonial society."
—Studs Terkel

"Magnificent ... Illuminates our understanding of how the politics of a country shapes its people’s lives."
—Tillie Olsen

"Our enemies attack her all the time. Not for what she’s done, but simply because she is a woman, and she is there, in the thick of it."
—Patrice Lumumba

"An extraordinary and vital work by one of the towering figures of anticolonial resistance. That Andrée Blouin has not been as renowned as Lumumba, Sankara, Cabral, has always been a scandalous injustice. This new edition of her memoir goes some way to redressing that, and is a publishing and political event of immense importance."
—China Miéville, author of A Spectre, Haunting: On the Communist Manifesto

"Through My Country, Africa, Blouin's extraordinary story is being released for a second time, this time into a world that shows greater interest in the historical contributions of women. New readers will learn of the girl who went from being stashed away by the colonial system, to fighting for the freedom of millions of black Africans."
—Wedaeli Chibelushi, BBC

"This is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of race, gender, and freedom."
—Publishers Weekly

"Measured and nuanced ... My Country, Africa is an intense history of colonialism. Blouin’s story serves as a microcosm for the near misses, cycles and reason-defying hope that characterise Africa’s past."
—Colm McKenna, Irish Times

"Bravo, Verso Books, for publishing Andrée's, more relevant than ever, story."
—Rosita Sweetman, Irish Independent

"All readers of this insider’s view of the fight for African independence will be inspired by the contribution made by this important and much neglected woman in the black liberation movement."
—Roger McKenzie, Morning Star

"[Blouin's] general lack of recognition is of course an indictment on the ethnocentric, as well as androcentric, way history is narrated ... riveting"
—Tola Ositelu, Afropean

"A remarkable autobiography that feels like a relevant reflection on the present, not a historical account ... Blouin’s voice rings loud and clear throughout her account of her life, conversational and at times proudly regaling. I found myself gripped, like a junior listening to a family elder, and wondered how she seemed so comfortable in her skin and in command of her story despite such painful experiences."
—Nesrine Malik, Guardian

"A moving testimony to political radicalization, independence, and the skillful use of language as a weapon in the hands of a fearless activist. As a woman in the male-dominated world of state leaders in the 1960s, her biography is unique"
—Von Julian Weber, Die Tageszeitung

About the Author

Andrée Blouin was a central figure in the struggles for decolonization that swept Africa in the 1950s and 1960s. Her activism gave her a front-row seat to the triumph and tragedy of national liberation movements across the continent.

Details:

Visit the Verso Store

My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria (Verso's Southern Questions)

Product ID: U1839768711
Condition: New

BHD1424

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of BHD 2. Free for orders above BHD 20.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

Every product in the BOLO catalogue is sourced through our Verified Global Supply Network of verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of Bahrain. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the Bahrain will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in Bahrain are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.bh/products/U1839768711

Visit the Verso Store

My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria (Verso's Southern Questions)

Product ID: U1839768711
Condition: New
My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria (Verso's Southern Questions)-0
Type: Paperback

BHD1424

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of BHD 2. Free for orders above BHD 20.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

Every product in the BOLO catalogue is sourced through our Verified Global Supply Network of verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of Bahrain. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the Bahrain will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in Bahrain are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

“We who have been colonized can never forget”

Andrée Blouin—once called the most dangerous woman in Africa—played a leading role in the struggles for decolonization that shook the continent in the 1950s and ’60s, advising the postcolonial leaders of Algeria, both Congos, Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea, and Ghana.

In this autobiography, Blouin retraces her remarkable journey as an African revolutionary. Born in French Equatorial Africa and abandoned at the age of three, she endured years of neglect and abuse in a colonial orphanage, which she escaped after being forced by nuns into an arranged marriage at fifteen. She later became radicalized by the death of her two-year-old son, who was denied malaria medication by French officials because he was one-quarter African.

In Guinea, where Blouin was active in Sékou Touré’s campaign for independence, she came into contact with leaders of the liberation movement in the Belgian Congo. Blouin witnessed the Congolese tragedy up close as an adviser to Patrice Lumumba, whose arrest and assassination she narrates in unforgettable detail.

Blouin offers a sweeping survey of pan-African nationalism, capturing the intricacies of revolutionary diplomacy, comradeship, and betrayal. Alongside intimate portraits of the movement’s leaders, Blouin provides insights into the often-overlooked contribution of African women in the struggle for independence.
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Embodying pan-Africanism, Blouin befriended, counseled or lobbied the first presidents or prime ministers of Algeria, both Congos, Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea and Ghana."
—Stuart A. Reid, New York Times

"An amazingly good and moving description of a childhood blighted by the horrors of colonialism, told by an extraordinary woman … Riveting."
—Jessica Mitford

"A penetrating study of colonial society."
—Studs Terkel

"Magnificent ... Illuminates our understanding of how the politics of a country shapes its people’s lives."
—Tillie Olsen

"Our enemies attack her all the time. Not for what she’s done, but simply because she is a woman, and she is there, in the thick of it."
—Patrice Lumumba

"An extraordinary and vital work by one of the towering figures of anticolonial resistance. That Andrée Blouin has not been as renowned as Lumumba, Sankara, Cabral, has always been a scandalous injustice. This new edition of her memoir goes some way to redressing that, and is a publishing and political event of immense importance."
—China Miéville, author of A Spectre, Haunting: On the Communist Manifesto

"Through My Country, Africa, Blouin's extraordinary story is being released for a second time, this time into a world that shows greater interest in the historical contributions of women. New readers will learn of the girl who went from being stashed away by the colonial system, to fighting for the freedom of millions of black Africans."
—Wedaeli Chibelushi, BBC

"This is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of race, gender, and freedom."
—Publishers Weekly

"Measured and nuanced ... My Country, Africa is an intense history of colonialism. Blouin’s story serves as a microcosm for the near misses, cycles and reason-defying hope that characterise Africa’s past."
—Colm McKenna, Irish Times

"Bravo, Verso Books, for publishing Andrée's, more relevant than ever, story."
—Rosita Sweetman, Irish Independent

"All readers of this insider’s view of the fight for African independence will be inspired by the contribution made by this important and much neglected woman in the black liberation movement."
—Roger McKenzie, Morning Star

"[Blouin's] general lack of recognition is of course an indictment on the ethnocentric, as well as androcentric, way history is narrated ... riveting"
—Tola Ositelu, Afropean

"A remarkable autobiography that feels like a relevant reflection on the present, not a historical account ... Blouin’s voice rings loud and clear throughout her account of her life, conversational and at times proudly regaling. I found myself gripped, like a junior listening to a family elder, and wondered how she seemed so comfortable in her skin and in command of her story despite such painful experiences."
—Nesrine Malik, Guardian

"A moving testimony to political radicalization, independence, and the skillful use of language as a weapon in the hands of a fearless activist. As a woman in the male-dominated world of state leaders in the 1960s, her biography is unique"
—Von Julian Weber, Die Tageszeitung

About the Author

Andrée Blouin was a central figure in the struggles for decolonization that swept Africa in the 1950s and 1960s. Her activism gave her a front-row seat to the triumph and tragedy of national liberation movements across the continent.

Details:

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.bh/products/U1839768711