Frantz Fanon: The Militant Philosopher of Third World Revolution

Even though he died at a young age, in his 30s, the work of Frantz Fanon had a big impact in the revolutions that ended colonialism; and is still cited and referred to by radicals and leftists against modern day neo-imperialism and other forms of struggle. While this is not just a strict biography, his short life would work against that, this book is more of looking at how his life and his writings intersected and influenced each other. It also examines the impact he had on other’s thinking in the immediate years after his death. The organizations that rose in Algeria to overthrow the French show how far his thinking and influence went for someone who died from cancer at such a young age.

This is an interesting work in that the author puts Frantz Fanon into his context of his time and place. From the experience of racism in France as a student, to trying to help the people of Algeria against that same racism and how it came to define him and his writings. While mostly known to academics, hopefully this book will keep his memory alive.