Barack Obama’s Top African Books, Due in South Africa This Week

As former American President Barack Obama prepares for his trip to Africa this week, he has revealed his choice of top Africa-centric books.

Obama, who will deliver a speech in South Africa to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, is travelling to Africa for the first time since his Presidency.

In a post on Facebook describing Africa as a “continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and remarkable stories”, Obama said he was proud to have visited sub-Saharan Africa more times than any other US President.

He will also visit Kenya, which is his family’s ancestral home.

“I visited for the first time when I was in my twenties and I was profoundly influenced by my experiences – a journey I wrote about in my first book, Dreams from My Father.

“Over the years since, I’ve often drawn inspiration from Africa’s extraordinary literary tradition. As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that I’d recommend for summer reading, including some from a number of Africa’s best writers and thinkers – each of whom illuminate our world in powerful and unique ways.”

Philanthropist Bill Gates jumped in on Obama’s post to add his own recommendation. The billionaire philanthropist said: “For anyone interested in South Africa, I would also recommend Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born A Crime.” And regardless of your summer plans, Leymah Gbowee’s book “Mighty Be Our Powers” (about living through the Liberian civil war) is truly inspiring.”

The Africa-centric books Barack Obama recommends are:

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

“A true classic of world literature, this novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British colonialism. A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world,” says Obama.

A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o

“A chronicle of the events leading up to Kenya’s independence, and a compelling story of how the transformative events of history weigh on individual lives and relationships.”

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

“Mandela’s life was one of the epic stories of the 20th century. This definitive memoir traces the arc of his life from a small village, to his years as a revolutionary, to his long imprisonment, and ultimately his ascension to unifying President, leader, and global icon. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history – and then go out and change it.”

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.”

The Return by Hisham Matar

“A beautifully-written memoir that skillfully balances a graceful guide through Libya’s recent history with the author’s dogged quest to find his father who disappeared in Gaddafi’s prisons.”