books on liberia

July 15, 2008 8:14 PM

Where can I learn more about the Liberian history explored in this New York Times article?

I have been meaning to post this for quite a while. I was fascinated by the article. I would like to learn more about the aspects of Liberian society discussed in the article and about the coup and its aftermath.

A couple of years ago I read In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu's Congo, so something along those lines but in Liberia would be ideal.

posted by charlesv to travel & transportation (3 comments total)

Blue Clay People by William Powers. Powers was working at an NGO during the civil wars and probably is what you're looking for. If you enjoyed In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz, you should also try Michela Wrong's book on Eritrea, I Didn't Do it For You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation.
posted by ahughey at 7:06 AM on July 16, 2008

You may also be interested in reading about the "Black Loyalists", anti-Republicans or pragmatic freed slaves of darker skin ethnically cleansed from the United States during its rebellion against the Kingdom of Great Britain in the closing decades of the 18th century. Although most of these refugees made their way initially to the Caribbean colonies, a sizable proportion went to Nova Scotia, where, later, some of them and their descendents later re-migrated, ending up in the the larger British cities and Sierra Leone.
posted by meehawl at 8:48 AM on July 16, 2008

Actually, ahughey, if you know of anything I would be more interested in a history of the years leading up to the 1990s vs later events. But great suggestions from both of you guys. Thanks.
posted by charlesv at 4:08 PM on July 16, 2008