Pan African Library

Essential reading for understanding African liberation, history, and excellence

Essential Books

Foundational texts for understanding Pan Africanism and liberation

The Wretched of the Earth

By Frantz Fanon • 1961

A seminal work on decolonization and the psychological effects of colonialism on the colonized. Essential reading for understanding liberation movements and the process of decolonization.

⭐ Must Read Decolonization Psychology

How Europe Underdeveloped Africa

By Walter Rodney • 1972

Groundbreaking analysis of how European colonialism systematically underdeveloped African economies and societies. A crucial text for understanding African economic history.

⭐ Must Read Economics History

I Write What I Like

By Steve Biko • 1978

Collection of essays by the South African anti-apartheid activist developing Black Consciousness philosophy. A powerful call for psychological liberation and self-determination.

⭐ Must Read Black Consciousness South Africa

Pedagogy of the Oppressed

By Paulo Freire • 1968

Revolutionary work on education as liberation. Though Brazilian, profoundly influenced African liberation pedagogy. Essential for understanding education's role in freedom.

⭐ Must Read Education Liberation

Africa Must Unite

By Kwame Nkrumah • 1963

Nkrumah's vision for Pan African unity and political federation. A blueprint for African sovereignty and collective strength against neocolonialism.

⭐ Must Read Pan Africanism Politics

Colonialism and Neocolonialism

By Jean-Paul Sartre • 1964

Sartre's critique of colonialism and its evolution into neocolonial economic domination. Understanding how colonialism persists through new forms.

Neocolonialism Politics

Pan African Thinkers

Giants of African liberation thought

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Steve Biko

Black Consciousness Movement

South Africa
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Kwame Nkrumah

Pan Africanism & African Unity

Ghana
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Frantz Fanon

Decolonization & Psychology

Martinique/Algeria
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Thomas Sankara

Anti-Imperialism & Self-Reliance

Burkina Faso
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Amilcar Cabral

Liberation & National Culture

Guinea-Bissau
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Angela Davis

Black Feminism & Liberation

USA
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Walter Rodney

African Economic History

Guyana
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Cheikh Anta Diop

African Civilization & History

Senegal
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Essential Documentaries

Visual exploration of African history and liberation

Lumumba: Death of a Prophet

Raoul Peck • 1991

Documentary about Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of Congo, and his assassination in the context of Cold War politics and neocolonialism.

⭐ Essential Congo

Thomas Sankara: The Upright Man

Robin Shuffield • 2006

Profile of revolutionary Burkina Faso president Thomas Sankara and his vision for African self-reliance and anti-imperialism.

⭐ Essential Burkina Faso

Concerning Violence

Göran Olsson • 2014

Based on Frantz Fanon's work, this film uses archival footage to examine African liberation movements and the violence of colonialism.

⭐ Essential Liberation

Curated Reading Lists

Thematic collections for deep study