Black, French, and African: A Life of LéOpold SéDar Senghor

by Janet Vaillant

Book by Vaillant, Janet

Genres: Biography

402 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1990

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of the first post-colonial President of Senegal.

Also a respected poet, educated in France, he managed one of the few peaceful constructive transitions from colony to independent nation in Africa, and set up a government that (though flawed) has presided over a relatively peaceful and stable nation ever since.

There are few people in history like this, it's a story well worth anyone's time.

[Alyssa Rickard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great introduction to Senghor! I've had a hard time finding another work with this much detail; however, I feel it canonizes Senghor too much. I would encourage those who are interested in Senghor to continue reading literature on him to acquire a full perspective of him.

[Willie Kirschner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a complex man who was talented and disciplined and had careers as both a politician and poet, who was a significant leader during a time of great change in Africa. A man who had successes and failures and respected and was respected by most people who knew him.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting reflections on senghor's politics/background

[Smellica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book, not just about Leopold Sedar Senghor, but about the complicated and interdependent relationship between France and it's former African colonies; World War II; Charles de Gaulle; and Aime Cesar, to name a handful of themes touched upon in this fascinating and compelling biography of Senegal's first president after independence from France in 1960.