Originally posted on Axios.com
Ahead of his first trip to Africa since leaving office, former President Barack Obama put together a list of summer reading books about the African continent in a Facebook post.
The big picture: Obama’s trip will include stops in Kenya, where his father was from, and South Africa, where he’ll give a speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.
“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe
- His take: “A true classic of world literature, this novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British colonialism. A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.”
“A Grain of Wheat” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o
- His take: “A chronicle of the events leading up to Kenya’s independence, and a compelling story of how the transformative events of history weigh on individual lives and relationships.”
“Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela
- His take: “Mandela’s life was one of the epic stories of the 20th century. This definitive memoir traces the arc of his life from a small village, to his years as a revolutionary, to his long imprisonment, and ultimately his ascension to unifying President, leader, and global icon. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history – and then go out and change it.”
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