Kinshasa - Post Report Question and Answers
Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
King Leopold's Ghost, a ruthless book about what the Belgian Crown did to this country and its people. - Aug 2022
"Dancing in the Glory of Monsters" is a helpful and terrible read for understanding the brutal war. "King Leopold's Ghost" powerfully explains the country's colonial history. And the band Fulu Miziki is just fun. They make amazing drumming music while wearing costumes made out of trash, a commentary on Kinshasa's waste management problems. - May 2022
I admittedly read very little - as everything focuses on the colonial past or the violent middle. I really tried to prepare myself for the Congolese of today. I listened to a lot of Congolese music before coming - rap, Christian rock, everything. And then studied their art. - Aug 2019
There are many good books on DRC. I recommend: King Leopold's Ghost (covers Belgian colonialism) Dancing in the Glory of Monsters (The First and Second Congo Wars, 1997-2003) Congo: The Epic History of a People (an excellent ethnographic history of DRC) In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu's Congo (the end of the Mobutu era) Stringer: A Reporter's Journey in the Congo (life in post-war Kinshasa) - Apr 2019
King Leopold's Ghost, Bonobo Handshake, The Poisonwood Bible - Dec 2017
Dancing in the Glory of the Monsters, Blood River by Tim Butcher, the Congo Wars by G. Prunier, series of documentaries by Thierry Michel. - Sep 2016
Congo: The Epic History of a People (David Van Reyrbrouk); Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingslover); Dancing in the Glory of Monsters (Jason Stearns). - Apr 2016
Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad Dancing in the Glory of Monsters, Jason Stearns In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz, Michela Wrong King Leopold's Ghost, Adam Hochschild Station Chief Congo, Larry Devlin Congo Mercenary, Mike Hoare Africa's World War, Gerard Prunier - Nov 2012
- Feb 2012
Dancing in the Glory of Monsters - Jason Stearn comes with a recommendation. - Aug 2011
Heart of Darkness, Blood River, everything by Michea Wrong, To Katanga and Back, Chief of Station. - Jan 2011
Kinshasa: the invisible city. Bradt has a guidebook to Congo in english. Jaguar and Futa have them in french. Lonely Planet has a guidebook for african health matters that's very nice. In general, the political science book, Africa Works, could help orient one's mindset. - Oct 2010
