Top Historical Biographies from Africa

The best Historical African Biographies includes Long Way Gone: Soldier's Memoir, Left to Tell: Finding Faith in Darkness, Long Walk to Freedom: Nelson Mandela's Autobiography and many others as mentioned below.

1

Long Way Gone: Soldier's Memoir

  • First-person account of a child soldier's experiences.
  • Explores the reality of modern warfare and childhood.
  • Heartbreaking survival story of Ishmael Beah.
  • Insight into the psychological impact of war.
  • Reveals the transformation from innocence to violence.
  • Literary force that captivates and educates readers.
  • A rare glimpse into global child soldier crisis.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.57
2

Left to Tell: Finding Faith in Darkness

  • A powerful memoir of survival and faith.
  • Immaculee's journey through the Rwandan genocide.
  • 91 days of hiding and prayer.
  • A story of forgiveness and unconditional love.
  • Inspiration for overcoming fear and suffering.
  • Discovering God in the darkest of times.
  • A testament to the human spirit's resilience.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.37
3

Long Walk to Freedom: Nelson Mandela's Autobiography

  • Nelson Mandela's inspiring life story.
  • A powerful account of racial oppression struggles.
  • Essential reading for understanding human rights.
  • Chronicles Mandela's journey to political freedom.
  • Celebrated autobiography of a global icon.
  • Highlights hope, resilience, and triumph over adversity.
  • Inspired the major motion picture adaptation.
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  • Price Range: $11.59
4

Long Walk to Freedom: Nelson Mandela Audiobook

  • Inspiring autobiography of Nelson Mandela's life.
  • Details his fight against racial oppression in South Africa.
  • Highlights his role as a global human rights icon.
  • Chronicles his 27 years of imprisonment and resilience.
  • A testament to the power of the human spirit.
  • Essential reading for history and politics enthusiasts.
  • Inspired the acclaimed motion picture, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $30.70
5

Sunday Bloody Sunday: A Soldier's Memoir

  • Extraordinary life of soldier Jake Harper-Ronald.
  • Conscription in the Royal Rhodesia Regiment began his journey.
  • Pivotal role as photographer during Northern Ireland's 'Bloody Sunday.'
  • Served in elite units like SAS and Selous Scouts.
  • Operated as intelligence agent for global powers.
  • Endured solitary confinement and accusations of treason.
  • Incredible narrative of bravery and resilience awaits you.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $8.99
6

The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A War Story (Paperback)

  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Story of survival and resilience
  • Fleeing the Rwandan massacre
  • Journey through seven African countries
  • Power of imagination and healing
  • Explores identity and belonging
  • Testament to strength and hope
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  • Price Range: $13.26
7

Nile Quest: Genius and Betrayal in Search of the River

  • New York Times bestseller on exploration history.
  • Chronicles the race to find Nile's source.
  • Features Richard Burton and John Speke's rivalry.
  • Highlights Sidi Mubarak Bombay's crucial role.
  • Explores themes of courage and betrayal.
  • Richly detailed narrative of 19th-century exploration.
  • A thrilling adventure against colonial ambitions.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.68
8

Desert War Classic Trilogy eBook

  • Classic account of North Africa's WWII campaigns.
  • Written by acclaimed journalist Alan Moorehead.
  • In-depth exploration of Montgomery and Rommel's battles.
  • Offers vivid descriptions of desert warfare dynamics.
  • Recognized for its literary and historical significance.
  • Captivates readers with personal soldier experiences.
  • Essential reading for WWII history enthusiasts.
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  • Price Range: $8.99
9

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

  • Powerful memoir by Frederick Douglass.
  • Written during his time in Lynn, Massachusetts.
  • Influential in the abolitionist movement.
  • Describes Douglass's life as a slave.
  • Includes introductions by notable abolitionists.
  • Comprises eleven detailed chapters.
  • Highlights Douglass's ambition for freedom.
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  • Price Range: $0.99
10

Rwanda's Tragedy: Tomorrow We Face Family Loss (Book)

  • A profound account of Rwanda's genocide aftermath.
  • Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award.
  • Explores human resilience amidst unimaginable horror.
  • Intimate portraits of survivors and their struggles.
  • Examines the quest for justice and reconciliation.
  • Highlights the complexities of post-colonial Africa.
  • A compelling contribution to historical and human literature.
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  • Price Range: $10.99
11

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

  • Unique perspective on growing up in Rhodesia.
  • Memoir of resilience amidst colonial struggles.
  • Engaging narrative by Alexandra Fuller.
  • Explores themes of family and survival.
  • Read by talented narrator Lisette Lecat.
  • Captivating story of a changing landscape.
  • Insight into African childhood experiences.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.80
12

My Early Life: 1874-1904 by Churchill

  • Autobiography of Winston Churchill's early years.
  • Insights into a transformative historical figure.
  • Chronicles childhood and education experiences.
  • Details war correspondence during the Boer War.
  • Explores early political career in Parliament.
  • Reflects on a changing historical landscape.
  • Essential reading for understanding Churchill's influence.
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  • Price Range: $14.82
13

Long Way Gone: Boy Soldier Memoir

  • A powerful memoir of childhood and war.
  • First-person account of a boy soldier's experience.
  • Explores the impact of conflict on youth.
  • Heartbreaking honesty and literary force throughout.
  • Highlights the global issue of child soldiers.
  • A gripping story of survival and resilience.
  • Essential reading for understanding modern warfare's tragedies.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.15
14

River of the Gods: Quest for the Nile's Source

  • Explores the quest for the Nile's source.
  • Highlights the rivalry between Burton and Speke.
  • Features the unsung hero, Sidi Mubarak Bombay.
  • Details the dangers of 19th-century exploration.
  • Examines colonial ambitions in Africa.
  • New York Times bestseller with critical acclaim.
  • An engaging narrative of adventure and betrayal.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.99
15

Samburu Girlhood: Tales of the Leopard

  • Captivating true stories from Samburu girlhood.
  • Explore the clash of cultures in 1970s Kenya.
  • Experience humor, beauty, and calamity in childhood.
  • Follow Monique's journey towards independence and dreams.
  • Encounter traditional village life without modern conveniences.
  • Real-life adventures with wildlife and unique characters.
  • Recommended for ages 14+ due to mature themes.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.99
16

Sunday Bloody Sunday: Soldier's Illustrated Companion

  • Extraordinary life of Jake Harper-Ronald.
  • Richly illustrated with rare photographs.
  • Captures key moments in military history.
  • Experience combat through a soldier's eyes.
  • Highlights bravery, sacrifice, and resilience.
  • Companion to the narrative book.
  • Inspiring tribute to a true soldier.
  • Price Range: $34.99
17

"River of the Gods: Quest for the Nile's Source"

  • New York Times bestseller detailing exploration history.
  • Focuses on Burton and Speke's dangerous quest.
  • Explores Nile River's mysterious headwaters location.
  • Highlights colonial ambitions and geographical exploration.
  • Sidi Mubarak Bombay's crucial role in expeditions.
  • Engaging narrative of adventure and rivalry.
  • Examines complex legacies of exploration and colonialism.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.89
18

Shut Up and Prosecute: The Thelma Anderson Case

  • Powerful memoir of a Black woman's journey.
  • Challenges systemic racism and institutional barriers.
  • Raw, honest storytelling that demands attention.
  • Highlights resilience against adversity and discrimination.
  • Call to action for justice and change.
  • Exposes hidden realities of the justice system.
  • Inspires readers to fight for their voices.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $29.99
19

Three Sips of Gin: Mastering Rhodesia's Selous Scouts

  • Explores the Selous Scouts' legendary effectiveness in warfare.
  • Deluxe edition includes rare photographs of Tim's journey.
  • Tells a remarkable story of survival and bravery.
  • Written with humor and self-deprecation by Tim Bax.
  • Details the psychological impact on guerrilla fighters.
  • Highlights unique tactics of counter-insurgency in Rhodesia.
  • Offers insights into the harsh African bush landscape.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $39.27
20

Too Close to the Sun: Denys Finch Hatton

  • Chronicles Denys Finch Hatton's adventurous life.
  • Highlights his charm and good looks.
  • Explores his love affair with Karen Blixen.
  • Describes his passion for Africa's landscapes.
  • Details his career as a big-game hunter.
  • Captures the essence of freedom and danger.
  • Written by esteemed biographer Sara Wheeler.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.39
21

Long Walk to Freedom: Nelson Mandela's Autobiography

  • Detailed account of Nelson Mandela's life.
  • Chronicles anti-apartheid movement struggles.
  • Insights into his prison experiences.
  • Inspirational journey toward freedom and leadership.
  • Reflects on tribal heritage and identity.
  • Nobel Peace Prize winner's perspective.
  • Major promotional support for the release.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $28.48
22

Led by Faith: Rwandan Genocide Survival

  • Immaculée Ilibagiza's inspiring survival story.
  • Journey through Rwandan genocide's aftermath.
  • Faith in God as a guiding force.
  • Struggles to find meaning and purpose.
  • Experience hardship and heartache firsthand.
  • New life as a refugee in America.
  • Sharing her powerful story with the world.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.54
23

Sufferings in Africa: Captured by North Africans

  • Captivating true story of a sea captain's ordeal.
  • Explores themes of survival and resilience in captivity.
  • Historical account of early 19th century enslavement.
  • First published in 1817, rich in authenticity.
  • Insight into North African slave trade dynamics.
  • Revised edition, previously published by Clarkson N. Potter.
  • A must-read for history and adventure enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.09
24

Hero of the Empire: Churchill's Boer War Escape

  • Thrilling narrative of Churchill's Boer War exploits.
  • Details his daring escape from captivity.
  • Highlights Churchill's early ambitions for political power.
  • Features encounters with historical figures like Gandhi.
  • Explores the impact of the Boer War on history.
  • Engaging storytelling by bestselling author Candice Millard.
  • Illuminates Churchill's formative years and experiences.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $20.60
25

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood

  • New York Times Bestseller highlighting African childhood.
  • Visceral memories of life in southern Africa.
  • Unforgettable portrayal of a headstrong mother.
  • Combines humor with tales of hardship and resilience.
  • Captivating writing style, both unflinching and poetic.
  • Explores a girl’s journey to womanhood and writer.
  • A deep bond with a continent and its people.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.99
26

Barefoot Woman by Scholastique Mukasonga

  • Finalist for National Book Award.
  • Powerful tribute to a Tutsi woman's resilience.
  • Story of love amidst Rwandan genocide.
  • Preserves mother's voice in poignant prose.
  • Captivating and haunting narrative style.
  • Highlights a family's struggle for survival.
  • A must-read for historical empathy.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.71
27

Legend of a Hunter: Bygone Era

  • True story set in East Africa, 1921.
  • Young boy becomes a determined hunter.
  • Experiences thrilling adventures in the wild.
  • Faces life-threatening challenges and harsh lessons.
  • Encounters tribesmen and survival struggles.
  • Explores the last game paradise in Africa.
  • Journey filled with excitement and danger awaits.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.99
28

No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu

  • Pioneering exploration of reconciliation in South Africa.
  • Insights from Archbishop Desmond Tutu's experiences.
  • Highlights Truth and Reconciliation Commission's significance.
  • Emphasizes honesty in confronting painful pasts.
  • Encourages compassion for healing and unity.
  • Offers a profound spirituality amidst horror.
  • Promotes a hopeful vision for a humane future.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.00
29

Red Earth: Rwandan Healing and Forgiveness

  • Powerful memoir of survival and resilience
  • Chronicles Rwanda's tragic genocide and recovery
  • Inspiring stories of healing and forgiveness
  • Empowers genocide widows through shared experiences
  • Includes 16 pages of impactful color photographs
  • Highlights Rwanda's journey towards reconciliation
  • Teaches global lessons on war and conflict healing
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.69
30

Dark Child: An African Boy's Journey

  • Memoir of Camara Laye's youth in Guinea.
  • Explores cultural traditions and personal identity.
  • Highlights mother's supernatural powers and father's profession.
  • Depicts rites of passage into manhood.
  • Contrasts sacred traditions with modern world challenges.
  • Recognized classic of African literature.
  • A deeply affecting and passionate narrative.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.72