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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.
ben_v123's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
mfdelpino's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
isaac_salle's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0