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Décolonisations: Histoires situées d'Afrique et d'Asie
Décolonisations
Ce livre retrace l’histoire des décolonisations en adoptant un point de vue : celui des Suds. S’écartant d’une rupture chronologique convenue, colonisation-décolonisation, il débute en 1850 pour s’achever en 2013 : de l’invention des continents et des races jusqu’au naufrage des réfugiés partis d’Afrique de l’Est. Cartes, témoignages et arrêts sur images accompagnent cette synthèse : plutôt qu’un grand récit sur « l’Afrique » et « l’Asie », des histoires situées éclairent la singularité de sociétés africaines et asiatiques. Il en ressort combien nous vivons dans un monde postcolonial : le passé colonial pèse encore sur le présent, mais l’histoire nous permet de le comprendre sereinement.
Guillaume Blanc
Maître de conférences en histoire contemporaine à l’université Rennes 2, il est spécialiste de l’histoire environnementale et globale de l’Afrique. Il a notamment publié Une histoire environnementale de la nation (2015) et L’Invention du colonialisme vert (2020).
Ce livre retrace l’histoire des décolonisations en adoptant un point de vue : celui des Suds. S’écartant d’une rupture chronologique convenue, colonisation-décolonisation, il débute en 1850 pour s’achever en 2013 : de l’invention des continents et des races jusqu’au naufrage des réfugiés partis d’Afrique de l’Est. Cartes, témoignages et arrêts sur images accompagnent cette synthèse : plutôt qu’un grand récit sur « l’Afrique » et « l’Asie », des histoires situées éclairent la singularité de sociétés africaines et asiatiques. Il en ressort combien nous vivons dans un monde postcolonial : le passé colonial pèse encore sur le présent, mais l’histoire nous permet de le comprendre sereinement.
Guillaume Blanc
Maître de conférences en histoire contemporaine à l’université Rennes 2, il est spécialiste de l’histoire environnementale et globale de l’Afrique. Il a notamment publié Une histoire environnementale de la nation (2015) et L’Invention du colonialisme vert (2020).
- GenresHistory
544 pages, Pocket Book
Published January 14, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 30, 2026
Décolonisations: Histoires situées d'Afrique et d'Asie by Guillaume Blanc is an ambitious historical study that reexamines decolonization through the perspectives of African and Asian societies, offering a nuanced exploration of colonial legacies and their enduring influence on the contemporary world.
One of the book’s most significant strengths is its commitment to centering the experiences and viewpoints of the Global South. Rather than approaching decolonization solely through the lens of European imperial powers, the work foregrounds the histories, struggles, and perspectives of the societies most directly affected by colonial rule.
The book also distinguishes itself through its broad chronological scope. By beginning in the mid nineteenth century and extending into the twenty first century, it challenges conventional narratives that treat decolonization as a discrete historical event, instead presenting it as part of a longer and more complex historical process.
Another especially compelling aspect is its emphasis on localized histories. Rather than presenting Africa and Asia as monolithic entities, the book highlights the diversity of experiences across different societies, demonstrating how colonialism and its aftermath unfolded in distinct ways depending on local contexts.
The integration of maps, testimonies, and visual materials further enriches the narrative, helping readers connect large historical developments with individual experiences and specific places. This approach reinforces the book’s argument that the colonial past continues to shape political, social, and cultural realities today.
For readers interested in global history, postcolonial studies, African and Asian history, and the long term consequences of empire, Décolonisations offers a thoughtful and deeply contextualized examination of how colonial legacies continue to influence the modern world.
One of the book’s most significant strengths is its commitment to centering the experiences and viewpoints of the Global South. Rather than approaching decolonization solely through the lens of European imperial powers, the work foregrounds the histories, struggles, and perspectives of the societies most directly affected by colonial rule.
The book also distinguishes itself through its broad chronological scope. By beginning in the mid nineteenth century and extending into the twenty first century, it challenges conventional narratives that treat decolonization as a discrete historical event, instead presenting it as part of a longer and more complex historical process.
Another especially compelling aspect is its emphasis on localized histories. Rather than presenting Africa and Asia as monolithic entities, the book highlights the diversity of experiences across different societies, demonstrating how colonialism and its aftermath unfolded in distinct ways depending on local contexts.
The integration of maps, testimonies, and visual materials further enriches the narrative, helping readers connect large historical developments with individual experiences and specific places. This approach reinforces the book’s argument that the colonial past continues to shape political, social, and cultural realities today.
For readers interested in global history, postcolonial studies, African and Asian history, and the long term consequences of empire, Décolonisations offers a thoughtful and deeply contextualized examination of how colonial legacies continue to influence the modern world.
November 17, 2025
Very well researched booked, nice to learn about colonial history however I thought it lacked the political aspect of it
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews