The Shadow of the Sun, by Ryszard Kapuscinski, is unequivocally one of my favorite books on Africa, charting the modern history across the continent. It is rooted in his experience as the local correspondent for the Polish press agency over thirty years, where he witnessed 27 revolutions and coups. This review is particularly noteworthy. “Suppose we were to launch a spacecraft with the intention of establishing literary contact with the residents of some remote part of the galaxy. If we had room for only one contemporary writer, whom would we send? I’d vote for Ryszard Kapuscinski, because he has given the truest, least partial, most comprehensive and vivid account of what life is like on our planet.” Because it is translated, the book has not been eligible for literary prizes. And thus, Ryszard has mostly stayed unknown. This is one of many in his collection, but a great first book if you’re interested.

Get it here. Review here.