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

"This is a challenging book . . . a remarkable contribution to African intellectual history." —International Journal of African Historical Studies

"Mudimbe's description of the struggles over Africa's self-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 landmark achievement in African studies." —Journal of Religion in Africa

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