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aberdawn's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Sooooo much information (in a really good way). I still have a lot to learn, but I feel far more informed about the history and countries in Africa than I ever did. The writing is interesting and held my attention well. In general, I prefer listening to nonfiction read by the author because they tend to do the work justice. This was no exception. Faloyin’s voice is soothing to listen to, and I feel he was better able to deliver his points than another narrator would have been.
Content Warnings
Minor: Genocide, Racism, Violence, Colonisation, and War
coys's review against another edition
5.0
This one was awesome. I saw an NYT review for it, gave it a light skim, and immediately put it on hold at the library, desperately waiting for it to come out. And it sure did not disappoint. Africa is a huge subject, so obviously we didn't even really make a dent in all the continent has to offer, but that was kinda the point! Each chapter covered a topic engagingly and with reverence; from the scramble for Africa, to Hollywood's treatment of Africa in movies, the denial of cultural heritage perpetrated by colonialists and continued by museums to this day, etc. Despite this wide variety of topics, everything flowed so well and felt a part of a much bigger cohesive whole. I learned so much from this book (unfortunately, the book's thesis is spot on -- Western countries dgaf about Africa, and thus I know shockingly little about the continent and its history). It's super well-written, flowing, and funny in a very deeply sarcastic way. Plus, it inspired me to make Jollof again, so I consider that a win even without the rest of it.
alexdpar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Three reasons you should read this book:
- Comedy perfectly blended with ferocity
- Dismantles your biases about Africa while presenting various histories you were never taught in school
- Jollof wars (no seriously this chapter was incredible)
Again, one of those books I listened to but cannot wait to buy the physical copy.
k8so's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.75
I adored this book! Have recommended it to a bunch of people. Fantastic storytelling, evocative imagery, made very good points without being preachy
emi_dilli's review against another edition
4.0
Rich prose peppered with humour and witty social criticism. Some lovely satire and analogies. I agree with the review that says this book should be on the national curriculum. I did, however, feel throughout the book that the style was too intellectual and complex for it to be an accessible teaching resource for schoolchildren.
panfur22's review against another edition
5.0
Big s/o to this book for finally giving me a five stars after many books read over the past few months. It was tough, but I'm happy and thought I would write a review on this book.
"Africa Is Not a Country" by Dipo Faloyin is one of the best informative books I've picked up. As someone born and raised in Canada with Congolese heritage, my knowledge about my own country and the broader African continent has been embarrassingly limited. This book has been an eye-opener and a call to educate myself on a much deeper level about my history and the continent as a whole.
It stands out for correcting harmful misconceptions about Africa and fostering a more nuanced understanding. The author effectively provides factual information on various stereotypes and topics, allowing readers to form their own opinions and critically examine the biases that pervade Western perceptions of Africa.
His writing style and choice of words enriched my vocabulary, but don’t think for a second that it was not engaging, thanks to his underlined sense of humor, which I appreciated. His ability to include humor adds a unique and refreshing dimension to the book. It tackles heavy topics with a light touch, making complex issues more accessible without diluting their significance.
Just going to mention that my favorite part was the White Savior Complex and how charities/donations without proper support can bring more harm than good. I've never seen that dark aspect of charities; it definitely shed light on the negative effects of well-meaning but misguided attempts to interfere on behalf of "poor helpless Africans."
Another subject covered was a thorough explanation of colonialism in Africa and its enduring impact on various countries. This was a shocker, revealing so many things I did not know about past history and how it still has repercussions in today's world.
This work is so well-written, extensive in its research, and provides numerous sources with the singular goal of dismantling harmful stereotypes about various countries in Africa. Dipo Faloyin illustrates how clichéd views are not only oversimplified but also harmful, reducing a continent rich in diversity, culture, and history to a monolithic image that is far removed from reality. It furthermore pushes me to educate myself about my heritage, and I'm forever grateful to have picked up this book. If you think your view of Africa is free of clichés, then I dare you to read this book. Perhaps you’ll prove yourself right or end up among those who thought they knew it but discovered a whole new world instead.
"Africa Is Not a Country" by Dipo Faloyin is one of the best informative books I've picked up. As someone born and raised in Canada with Congolese heritage, my knowledge about my own country and the broader African continent has been embarrassingly limited. This book has been an eye-opener and a call to educate myself on a much deeper level about my history and the continent as a whole.
It stands out for correcting harmful misconceptions about Africa and fostering a more nuanced understanding. The author effectively provides factual information on various stereotypes and topics, allowing readers to form their own opinions and critically examine the biases that pervade Western perceptions of Africa.
His writing style and choice of words enriched my vocabulary, but don’t think for a second that it was not engaging, thanks to his underlined sense of humor, which I appreciated. His ability to include humor adds a unique and refreshing dimension to the book. It tackles heavy topics with a light touch, making complex issues more accessible without diluting their significance.
Just going to mention that my favorite part was the White Savior Complex and how charities/donations without proper support can bring more harm than good. I've never seen that dark aspect of charities; it definitely shed light on the negative effects of well-meaning but misguided attempts to interfere on behalf of "poor helpless Africans."
Another subject covered was a thorough explanation of colonialism in Africa and its enduring impact on various countries. This was a shocker, revealing so many things I did not know about past history and how it still has repercussions in today's world.
This work is so well-written, extensive in its research, and provides numerous sources with the singular goal of dismantling harmful stereotypes about various countries in Africa. Dipo Faloyin illustrates how clichéd views are not only oversimplified but also harmful, reducing a continent rich in diversity, culture, and history to a monolithic image that is far removed from reality. It furthermore pushes me to educate myself about my heritage, and I'm forever grateful to have picked up this book. If you think your view of Africa is free of clichés, then I dare you to read this book. Perhaps you’ll prove yourself right or end up among those who thought they knew it but discovered a whole new world instead.