Discourse on Colonialism

As the previous reviewer (American) has stated this book is a powerful indictment of European colonialism. However, the author wrote this book in 1950s, the heyday of the independence movement against the 19th century European empires, i.e. Britain, France, Portugal, etc. and therefore that is its focus.
What is condemned here has also the epitome of U.S. policy and economic activity in the Third World for the last half century, so Americans should not think that this condemnation is about something other than many of the taken-for-granted policies of the American empire. The rhetorical tone of the book may ring as a bit dated to ears used to ignoring what goes on in minds and hearts not located in the First World, but the events of 9/11 may give them new relevance. One would hope so.
Historically this book was of great importance, and it deserves rereading today - especially in the U.S.

Aimé Césaire's "Discourse on Colonialism" is a poignant exploration of the brutality, indifference, and dehumanizing effect of colonization on both colonizer and colonized. Colonization rips the soul out of both, driving the colonizers to violence and race hatred, and the colonized towards psychic and soulful death. However, "the mechanization of man, the gigantic rape of everything intimate" does not give the white man a second thought, not until this monstrous dehumanizing colonial impulse diffuses throughout Europe and colonizes the white man--as fascism. This is what Césaire sees as the end of the road of capitalism and the Western mentality of rationality, hierarchy and domination: an ultimate devastation of bodies, souls, and land.

A brilliant, evocative, poetic essay by a surrealist artist/writer whose work should be read as foundational for anyone with an interest in post-colonial thought.

Another great discours from Aimee Cesaire reagrding the Europeans bumbling excuse for justifying the illegal acquistion of others peoples land and resources, and slavery. No wonder I personally have BLACK RAGE.

Having read this for a class, I found this to be a thought provoking text on colonialism as seen from the colonized. A scathing rebuke of the practice, in my opinion, and perfect to read when studying the decolonization period.

Although I hoped to get a broader perspective on the subject of colonialism, I was somewhat disappointed in the narrow perspective that I was offered by Cesaire. His outlook was as described, a discourse, but from a very personal point of view. The author is first and foremost a poet and his writing reflects that in his approach to the topic.

I was hoping for a more detailed historical and/or sociological evaluation of colonialism. Instead, Cesaire offered this reader a more personal insight into his own interesting cultural and ethnological understanding of the subject, an evaluation that I appreciated and understood, but which did not further much my insights into the dynamics of colonialism and its underpinnings.

This book isn't that well known, but I was introduced to it by one of my professors. It was certainly an interesting read. It discusses the effects of colonialism, and also points out the hypocrisy of the colonizer. I didn't agree with all Cesaire says, but he does get some things right. An interesting take on the subject for sure.

Great read. Very accurate history review on topic.

Fanon's book informs, educate, through frank discussion. "Amazingly" we see some of his concepts and ideologies playing out in society!

Best way to buy books for school.

must read