Publisher's Synopsis
King Leopold�������s Soliloquy is a book written by Mark Twain, in which he takes on the persona of King Leopold II of Belgium and defends his controversial rule over the Congo Free State in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The book is presented as a monologue in which King Leopold speaks directly to the reader, justifying his actions in the Congo and dismissing criticisms of his regime.Twain's book is a satirical critique of King Leopold's rule, which was characterized by brutality, exploitation, and forced labor. The book highlights the atrocities committed by the Belgian authorities in the Congo, including the use of slave labor, the forced collection of rubber, and the massacre of millions of Congolese people.Through the voice of King Leopold, Twain exposes the greed, corruption, and hypocrisy of European colonialism, as well as the complicity of the international community in the atrocities committed in the Congo. The book is a powerful indictment of the injustices of imperialism and a call for greater accountability and responsibility in the treatment of colonized peoples.Overall, King Leopold�������s Soliloquy is a thought-provoking and challenging work that forces readers to confront the dark legacy of European colonialism and the ongoing struggles for justice and equality in the world today.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
