King Leopold's Ghost

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In the 1880s, as European powers divided Africa, King Leopold II of Belgium claimed the largely uncharted territory around the Congo River. He conducted a genocidal plundering of the region, exploiting its rubber resources, brutalizing its inhabitants, and reducing the population by ten million, all while maintaining a façade of humanitarianism. Efforts to expose these atrocities sparked the first major human rights movement of the twentieth century, drawing in figures like Mark Twain and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The narrative reveals the monstrous nature of Leopold, a figure reminiscent of Shakespearean villains, and highlights the courageous individuals who opposed him. Among them was Edmund Morel, a British shipping agent who spearheaded the international campaign against Leopold, and Roger Casement, an Irish patriot who met a tragic end. Additionally, black Americans George Washington Williams and William Sheppard risked their lives to bring the Congo's horrors to light. The story is further enriched by the presence of Joseph Conrad, a young steamboat officer on the Congo River, who witnessed the unfolding tragedy. Adam Hochschild masterfully brings this complex history to life, showcasing a cast of characters that surpasses any fictional creation.