Brazza, A Life for Africa

By Maria Petringa

Subjects: Biography, Explorers, Congo, France, Africa, French, French Colonial Africa, Discovery and exploration, colonialism, History

Description: This fascinating true-life adventure takes the reader on a journey from Papal Rome, to Belle-Epoque Paris, to French Colonial Africa. *Brazza, A Life for Africa* tells the story of **Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza**, a European explorer, colonial governor, and human rights investigator. He gave his life trying to expose the abuse and torture of enslaved African workers in the rubber-producing regions of Congo, Gabon, and elsewhere in equatorial Africa. From Brazza's early explorations, his diplomatic encounters with African tribal chiefs, and his studies of the daily life, flora, and fauna of central Africa, to his investigation of the torture scandals of 1905, *Brazza, A Life for Africa* contains numerous parallels to today's events. *Brazza, A Life for Africa* is a National Sons of Italy Book Club Selection, and a Nominee for the French Colonial Historical Society's annual book prize.