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The Shadow of the Sun
The Shadow of the Sun | Ryszard Kapuscinski
4 posts | 10 read | 10 to read
In 1957, Ryszard Kapuscinski arrived in Africa to witness the beginning of the end of colonial rule as the first African correspondent of Poland's state newspaper. From the early days of independence in Ghana to the ongoing ethnic genocide in Rwanda, Kapuscinski has crisscrossed vast distances pursuing the swift, and often violent, events that followed liberation. Kapuscinski hitchhikes with caravans, wanders the Sahara with nomads, and lives in the poverty-stricken slums of Nigeria. He wrestles a king cobra to the death and suffers through a bout of malaria. What emerges is an extraordinary depiction of Africa--not as a group of nations or geographic locations--but as a vibrant and frequently joyous montage of peoples, cultures, and encounters. Kapuscinski's trenchant observations, wry analysis and overwhelming humanity paint a remarkable portrait of the continent and its people. His unorthodox approach and profound respect for the people he meets challenge conventional understandings of the modern problems faced by Africa at the dawn of the twenty-first century. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Hooked_on_books
The Shadow of the Sun | Ryszard Kapuscinski
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Pickpick

Polish journalist Kapuściński lived and worked in various places in Africa for many years. Here, he chronicles a bit of history, some current events, and personal stories spanning from the 50s to the 90s. It‘s terrific.

#ReadingAfrica2022 Mauritania (also works for Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zanzibar, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, Senegal, Liberia, Cameroon, Mali, Eritrea)

BarbaraBB Thanks for bringing this book up. I have read and enjoyed other books by Kapuściński but hadn‘t heard of this one. I must get my hands on a copy! 2y
Librarybelle Oh! I‘ll have to keep this one in mind for sure! 2y
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Texreader
The Shadow of the Sun | Ryszard Kapuscinski
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In the 1950s, a Polish journalist traveled across Africa as colonial rule was finally coming to an end. I‘ve discovered in the last few years I really like travelogues and the subject sounds so interesting. I‘m also anticipating a #readingafrica challenge eventually so, if so, this will cover a number of countries. 😉 I got this one on our road trip vacation at Capitol Hill Books in Denver.

charl08 Wow, amazing cover. 3y
wanderinglynn Sounds interesting. 3y
Librarybelle You‘re anticipating correctly…a #ReadingAfrica2022 challenge is in the works! @BarbaraBB 3y
BarbaraBB You‘re right @Texreader 🤍 and of course we expect you to join! 3y
Richryan52 @Texreader If you have a young child, I think they might enjoy this. The illustrations, not by me, are just beautiful 3y
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Oblomov26
The Shadow of the Sun | Ryszard Kapuscinski
Pickpick

Kapuscinski is one of those reporters who no longer seems to exist. Appointed as Poland's only reporter in Africa, he spent decades travelling the continents travelling to newly independent countries, war zones, slums, deserts seeing and experiencing wonders and horrors outside the experience of

Oblomov26 Most mere mortals. This book is a collection of tales telling some of these experiences, the good, the bad and the plain terrifying (encounters with Cobras, Monrovia during the days of the warlords, sudden cases of malaria). 8y
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Oblomov26
The Shadow of the Sun | Ryszard Kapuscinski
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