The Invention of Africa

"... groundbreaking... clear, straightforward, and economical.... seminal... " -- American Anthropologist"This is a challenging book... a remarkable contribution to African intellectual history." -- International Journal of African Historical Studies"Mudimbe's description of the struggles over Africa's self-invention are vivid and rewarding. From Blyden to Sartre, Temples to Senghor, Mudimbe provides a bold and versatile resume of Africa's literary inventors." -- Village Voice Literary Supplement"... a landmark achievement in African studies."  -- Journal of Religion in AfricaIn this unique and provocative book, Zairean philosopher and writer V. Y. Mudimbe addresses the multiple scholarly discourses that exist -- African and non-African -- concerning the meaning of Africa and being African.