The Invention of Africa

..". groundbreaking... clear, straightforward, and economical....seminal... " -- American Anthropologist

"This is achallenging book... a remarkable contribution to African intellectual history."-- International Journal of African HistoricalStudies

"Mudimbe's description of the struggles over Africa'sself-invention are vivid and rewarding. From Blyden to Sartre, Temples to Senghor, Mudimbe provides a bold and versatile resume of Africa's literary inventors."-- Village Voice Literary Supplement

..". a landmarkachievement in African studies." -- Journal of Religion inAfrica

In this unique and provocative book, Zairean philosopherand writer V. Y. Mudimbe addresses the multiple scholarly discourses that exist --African and non-African -- concerning the meaning of Africa and beingAfrican.