"Exterminate All the Brutes"

By Sven Lindqvist, Joan Tate (translator),

Book cover of "Exterminate All the Brutes": One Man's Odyssey into the Heart of Darkness and the Origins of European Genocide

Book description

"Exterminate All the Brutes" is a searching examination of Europe's dark history in Africa and the origins of genocide. Using Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness as his point of departure, Sven Lindqvist takes us on a haunting tour through the colonial past, interwoven with a modern-day travelogue. Retracing the steps…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked "Exterminate All the Brutes" as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A mere 172 pages, this book examines the brutality of European colonialism in the 19th century, uncovering genocides I had never heard of that were perpetrated by so-called “civilized people” on so-called “primitive people.” 

The justification for this barbarism was that they for the benefit of the people annihilated because they could not live in the modern world. 

That justification is the same one often used on this side of the ocean for the genocide or “removal” of Indigenous people from their ancient lands and for the enslavement of African people who were “improved” by being around white people. 

Part…

Want books like "Exterminate All the Brutes"?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like "Exterminate All the Brutes".

Browse books like "Exterminate All the Brutes"

Book cover of On Call: Political Essays
Book cover of The Wall Between
Book cover of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in colonies, Africa, and Europe?

Colonies 75 books
Africa 265 books
Europe 956 books