Obama releases summer reading list ahead of Kenya, South Africa trips
Former United States’ president
Barack Obama has released a list of African books he recommends for his
annual summer reading list.
According to him, the five authors and thinkers on his list
had through their works illuminated the world in powerful and unique
ways. Nigeria leads the list with two nominations.
Kenya, South Africa and Libya all get single nominations with a
former White House staffer and longtime Obama advisor, also making the
list with a book on the Obama presidency.
Obama’s message posted on his social media handles also confirmed
his visit to the continent, the first time since he left office. He is
due to visit his ancestral homeland in Kenya before travelling to South
Africa to deliver the annual Nelson Mandela lecture.
Obama’s full message
This week, I’m traveling to Africa for the first time since I left
office – a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and
remarkable stories.
I was proud to visit sub-Saharan Africa more times than any other
sitting President, and I’ll return this week to visit Kenya and South
Africa. In South Africa, the Obama Foundation will convene 200
extraordinary young leaders from across the continent and I’ll deliver a
speech to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth. Kenya,
of course, is the Obama ancestral home. I visited for the first time
when I was in my twenties and I was profoundly influenced by my
experiences – a journey I wrote about in my first book, Dreams from My
Father.
Over the years since, I’ve often drawn inspiration from Africa’s
extraordinary literary tradition. As I prepare for this trip, I wanted
to share a list of books that I’d recommend for summer reading,
including some from a number of Africa’s best writers and thinkers –
each of whom illuminate our world in powerful and unique ways.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
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
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
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.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story
of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising
universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for
the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
The Return by Hisham Matar
A beautifully-written memoir that skillfully balances a graceful
guide through Libya’s recent history with the author’s dogged quest to
find his father who disappeared in Gaddafi’s prisons.
The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes
It’s true, Ben does not have African blood running through his
veins. But few others so closely see the world through my eyes like he
can. Ben’s one of the few who’ve been with me since that first
presidential campaign. His memoir is one of the smartest reflections
I’ve seen as to how we approached foreign policy, and one of the most
compelling stories I’ve seen about what it’s actually like to serve the
American people for eight years in the White House.
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