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A Wicked History
Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo
He claimed he only had the best intentions for the Congo. But he lied. See how the Belgian king known as the rubber terror destroyed the lives of millions - and kept it a secret for nearly two decades.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
6 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Tod Olson
19 books43 followersTod Olson is author of the historical fiction series HOW TO GET RICH, a Booklist Top Ten Series Non Fiction for Youth selection (don't tell them, but it's fiction). The first two books in his narrative nonfiction series, LOST, are now available. Tod lives with his family in Vermont and holds an MFA from Vermont College of the Fine Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 27, 2023
Original reaction was "well this is a helluva thing to write a children's book about," but in thinking more about it I realized history is history - good as well as bad - and to limit or filter what we tell our children is kinda how we started down the road that ends with schools banning books on slavery or civil rights or penguins…
Anyway, despite it's sensational title, this book is nicely done - basically the same story as King Leopold's Ghost (which Olson cites as a primary source), but written to a middle school level. Would actually recommend to a child curious about the history of Africa, colonialism and/or slavery.
ONLY PERIPHERALLY RELATED: After reading these two books, I also now can’t get Warren Zevon’s “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner” out of my head…
Anyway, despite it's sensational title, this book is nicely done - basically the same story as King Leopold's Ghost (which Olson cites as a primary source), but written to a middle school level. Would actually recommend to a child curious about the history of Africa, colonialism and/or slavery.
ONLY PERIPHERALLY RELATED: After reading these two books, I also now can’t get Warren Zevon’s “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner” out of my head…
July 14, 2014
A great book for helping middle school students understand European colonialism in Africa when they're too young for "King Leopold's Ghost."
February 2, 2017
The topic is not very good, but the content is. This is a very approachable account of Leopold's greed, deceit, and hubris.
November 13, 2017
This book was really good i usually don't like the biography but this one was good. i cant call Leopold evil but he really did something instead of not doing anything.this book to me was really funny
December 3, 2023
A very approachable introduction to very brutal series of events. Great younger readers looking for a history book that isn’t boring. Older readers could easily use this as a starting point to more in depth research.
August 31, 2024
I read this book to see if I could use part of it in my modern Civ class this year. It turns out to be pretty good and I think details the history of Belgium's exploitation of the Congo quite well. Definitely a book design for high school kids.
Want to read
December 17, 2021good to read the book read
March 7, 2022
Well written and, of course, heartbreakingly sad.
April 1, 2023
A good scholastic summary of the grab for the Congo made by Léopold 2 of Belgium. Quick informative read.
May 6, 2024
Solid series for kids and this particular book is representative of the better ones
Want to read
August 29, 2024Wicked History series. New York: Franklin Watts. $5.95 for paperbacks. Wonderful historical series for grades 7 and up with a biographical focus.
Olson, Tod. Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo. 2008.
Olson, Tod. Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo. 2008.
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June 5, 2016Taha Ababou
Sunday June 5, 2016
8-03
Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo is a biography written by Tod Olson, talking about King Leopold II and his conquests during imperialism in Africa. Leopold II was known for being king of Belgium, but more importantly, he was best known as the “Butcher of the Congo”. From 1884 to 1916, the “Scramble of Africa” occurred. For many years, other European colonies weren't able to conquer into the interior of a Africa because of a disease called Malaria. However, when the cure for this disease, named quinine, was discovered, Leopold II became the first ruler to conquer into the interior of Africa. By doing so, it created a scramble between other European countries to conquer the most amount of land in Africa as possible. Furthermore, this biography also states that King Leopold made many atrocities during his rule in Congo. One major atrocity that Leopold II fulfilled, was using forced labor. In the Belgian Congo, Leopold II used the forced labor to produce rubber, and use ivory as jewelry. The reason why using forced labor was one of Leopold’s atrocities was because of the way how the labors were treated. He allowed his agents to whip the labors on a daily basis, while others had their hands cutten. To conclude, Leopold II is responsible for the “Scramble for Africa”, and being a greedy, and cruel ruler.
The reader can tell that this book is a biography based on the cover of the book, but also when the reader reads the first chapter. The first chapter is introducing Leopold II and his early life. Throughout the course of the book, the reader learns how Leopold ruled his empire, and how he affected many people’s life. In the “Scramble for Africa”, Leopold was able to invade Congo. During his rule, he decided to use forced labor. By doing so, he was able to enrich the country’s economy by producing rubber, and using ivory as jewelry. Many people are debating whether King Leopold was a hero or not. After reading this book, the reader might not consider Leopold as a hero, but a villain. He indeed did enrich his country’s economy, however, it was at a great, and cruel cost. He used forced labor, and allowed his agents to treat the labors in very poor conditions. Leopold allowed his agents to whip the labors at a daily basis, and cut their their hands if they misbehave. As one can see, Leopold II was a cruel, and greedy ruler.
Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo is an astonishing book that can be recommended to many people. After reading this biography about King Leopold II, there was one part where I liked and disliked about him. My favorite part about Leopold is that he that he was that he was able to enrich his country's economy. When Belgium was under his reign, he was able to make it the fifth largest economy in the world. During this time period, it was quite impressive because he was able to enrich his country's economy among the five largest countries’ economy in in the world, while being surrounded with much bigger nations that probably were more than twice Belgium’s population. However, one thing I disliked about Leopold was the way he enriched his country’s economy. He enriched his country’s economy by using forced labor. Therefore, I would recommend this book to everyone who would want to learn about how a ruler who ruled a small piece of land in Europe managed to invade Congo and and use forced labor in order to make Belgium the fifth largest economy in the world.
Sunday June 5, 2016
8-03
Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo is a biography written by Tod Olson, talking about King Leopold II and his conquests during imperialism in Africa. Leopold II was known for being king of Belgium, but more importantly, he was best known as the “Butcher of the Congo”. From 1884 to 1916, the “Scramble of Africa” occurred. For many years, other European colonies weren't able to conquer into the interior of a Africa because of a disease called Malaria. However, when the cure for this disease, named quinine, was discovered, Leopold II became the first ruler to conquer into the interior of Africa. By doing so, it created a scramble between other European countries to conquer the most amount of land in Africa as possible. Furthermore, this biography also states that King Leopold made many atrocities during his rule in Congo. One major atrocity that Leopold II fulfilled, was using forced labor. In the Belgian Congo, Leopold II used the forced labor to produce rubber, and use ivory as jewelry. The reason why using forced labor was one of Leopold’s atrocities was because of the way how the labors were treated. He allowed his agents to whip the labors on a daily basis, while others had their hands cutten. To conclude, Leopold II is responsible for the “Scramble for Africa”, and being a greedy, and cruel ruler.
The reader can tell that this book is a biography based on the cover of the book, but also when the reader reads the first chapter. The first chapter is introducing Leopold II and his early life. Throughout the course of the book, the reader learns how Leopold ruled his empire, and how he affected many people’s life. In the “Scramble for Africa”, Leopold was able to invade Congo. During his rule, he decided to use forced labor. By doing so, he was able to enrich the country’s economy by producing rubber, and using ivory as jewelry. Many people are debating whether King Leopold was a hero or not. After reading this book, the reader might not consider Leopold as a hero, but a villain. He indeed did enrich his country’s economy, however, it was at a great, and cruel cost. He used forced labor, and allowed his agents to treat the labors in very poor conditions. Leopold allowed his agents to whip the labors at a daily basis, and cut their their hands if they misbehave. As one can see, Leopold II was a cruel, and greedy ruler.
Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo is an astonishing book that can be recommended to many people. After reading this biography about King Leopold II, there was one part where I liked and disliked about him. My favorite part about Leopold is that he that he was that he was able to enrich his country's economy. When Belgium was under his reign, he was able to make it the fifth largest economy in the world. During this time period, it was quite impressive because he was able to enrich his country's economy among the five largest countries’ economy in in the world, while being surrounded with much bigger nations that probably were more than twice Belgium’s population. However, one thing I disliked about Leopold was the way he enriched his country’s economy. He enriched his country’s economy by using forced labor. Therefore, I would recommend this book to everyone who would want to learn about how a ruler who ruled a small piece of land in Europe managed to invade Congo and and use forced labor in order to make Belgium the fifth largest economy in the world.
October 26, 2015
The book Leopard || by Tod Olson is amazing for several reasons. First, the main character in the story is Leopard ||, and amazing leader, in different places in the world such as Africa, Belgium, and much more. So Congo had some problems and Leopard || wanted to solve all those problems, so he decided to start a project there. The project was that he wanted to stop slavery there. So he went to Congo and he educated Africans and trained them to build their economy. He wanted Congo to open their country to trade with all the world because they had some interesting goods there. In conclusion, Leopard || steamed up the Congo river and it was easier for them to trade. Even other people around the world traded with them.
This book is really important because it helped Congo a lot because without Leopard’s help they would be in trouble in that time. They wouldn’t trade, eat, or even live correctly. Four adjectives for this person are humble, generous, lover, leader. He is humble because he was always with people next to him because he says that he doesn’t feel any difference between other people and him. Even though he is king, it doesn’t change anything for him. He is generous because of all what he made in Congo such as hospitals, schools to educate Africans, and the big river for trade. Even Leopard said, “ I do not wish to have one Belgian franc back for all the money I have expended. (Olson 13)” He is a lover because he loved people and he liked helping out people in need. For example when he built a school in Congo. He is a leader because he is a model to follow. Not just because he is a king but his personality and him in person is just something to follow.
Will Your friend be interested? Why did the author write this book? Which photograph is your favorite? Would you read another book by this author? Who would you recommend this book to? First, my friends can be interested and in the same time can not be interested. Some friends may like it because it is their type of book and others may say that it is boring because it does state facts. Second, the author wrote this book to inform people how Leopard was an amazing person and king. Third, my favorite photograph was the one when Leopard was small with his royal family. It is my favorite because it shows how that little head turned into a life changer for some people. I would read another type of book like this if I want to have more information in my brain because it is not as boring as textbooks, it has some pictures and fun stated facts. Finally, I would recommend this book to people that love history and information because they will find it fascinating.
This book is really important because it helped Congo a lot because without Leopard’s help they would be in trouble in that time. They wouldn’t trade, eat, or even live correctly. Four adjectives for this person are humble, generous, lover, leader. He is humble because he was always with people next to him because he says that he doesn’t feel any difference between other people and him. Even though he is king, it doesn’t change anything for him. He is generous because of all what he made in Congo such as hospitals, schools to educate Africans, and the big river for trade. Even Leopard said, “ I do not wish to have one Belgian franc back for all the money I have expended. (Olson 13)” He is a lover because he loved people and he liked helping out people in need. For example when he built a school in Congo. He is a leader because he is a model to follow. Not just because he is a king but his personality and him in person is just something to follow.
Will Your friend be interested? Why did the author write this book? Which photograph is your favorite? Would you read another book by this author? Who would you recommend this book to? First, my friends can be interested and in the same time can not be interested. Some friends may like it because it is their type of book and others may say that it is boring because it does state facts. Second, the author wrote this book to inform people how Leopard was an amazing person and king. Third, my favorite photograph was the one when Leopard was small with his royal family. It is my favorite because it shows how that little head turned into a life changer for some people. I would read another type of book like this if I want to have more information in my brain because it is not as boring as textbooks, it has some pictures and fun stated facts. Finally, I would recommend this book to people that love history and information because they will find it fascinating.
February 26, 2013
Leopold Ⅱ
By Tod Olson
History
128 Pages
Leopold Ⅱ was born in the Belgum and became a child of the king. He was disliked by his parents because of his facial looks and his shyness. His father believed him as sly as a fox. Leopold was a clumsy child who you can not imagine him being the person who would conquest the Congo. He told almost everyone that it would make a good cause for slavery and making Africans civilized. Countries were fighting over Africa,and he was not afraid to increase slavery and destroy half of the population. He was GREEDY.
Leopold Ⅱ Butcher of the Congo by Tod Olson is a really good history book for people to read because it is packed with information in a small amount of pages. This book tells the story of Leopold's childhood from when he was dead and tells you a lot of things about him. I also like how every series has a word that describes the person, like Leopold, he was really greedy and on the front cover, it says greedy.
By Tod Olson
History
128 Pages
Leopold Ⅱ was born in the Belgum and became a child of the king. He was disliked by his parents because of his facial looks and his shyness. His father believed him as sly as a fox. Leopold was a clumsy child who you can not imagine him being the person who would conquest the Congo. He told almost everyone that it would make a good cause for slavery and making Africans civilized. Countries were fighting over Africa,and he was not afraid to increase slavery and destroy half of the population. He was GREEDY.
Leopold Ⅱ Butcher of the Congo by Tod Olson is a really good history book for people to read because it is packed with information in a small amount of pages. This book tells the story of Leopold's childhood from when he was dead and tells you a lot of things about him. I also like how every series has a word that describes the person, like Leopold, he was really greedy and on the front cover, it says greedy.
February 24, 2014
Leopold's (Prince of Belgium)own father didn't care much for him. He main goal in life was to have his own colony - and he chose the Congo. Hundreds of thousands (at least) died so that he could acquire it.. And it wasn't until a few brave souls brought it to the public, that Belgium took over from him. Maybe the damage was already too late. Maybe it could have been worse (though that is hard to imagine).
The history of the Congo has always fascinated me - maybe because it is colonialism at its worst. This book is part of a series called Wicked History written for younger readers and I think this is history we need to know.
The history of the Congo has always fascinated me - maybe because it is colonialism at its worst. This book is part of a series called Wicked History written for younger readers and I think this is history we need to know.
May 15, 2016
Wow did not know anything about this guy. Glad I got the short version because he did not seem like a very nice person and was just very greedy. Sure he wanted to help put his country on the map but it was not worth wiping out 60% of a population and all of an elephant population. Glad he was finally stopped.
February 26, 2015
I never knew about Leopold the second !!! It was very informative and gave great insight into a struggle I never knew existed. I had no idea how bad the Congo was in the early 1900's. I love how he talks about their childhood lives before their adulthood. It allows you to compare and contrast and see how their childhood affected them.
February 10, 2014
Part of Franklin Watts �??A Wicked History�?� series, this tells the story of the Belgian colonization of the Congo. The history is brutal, the book quite readable. I didn't think it was much of a biography (as it claims to be) �?? its focus is definitely the Congo. There is quite a lot about Stanley (as in �??Dr. Livingston, I presume�?�)
October 17, 2013
Leopold was very greedy for lots of money. He was a very greedy person.
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June 12, 2016Solid, quick easy to read history of "wicked" people in history. Nice pics and graphics. Made me want to learn more about topics in the book.
November 1, 2016
This book is awesome. I recommend this book because it describes Leopold life. It describes what he did to the Congo. He was behind all the slavery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews