Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

With equal votes for two books by Frantz Fanon, August brings us a choice of his works. Note: The writing of neither book is meant to make the reader feel comfortable, as these are sensitive subject matters of the philosophical nature. The Wretched of the Earth focuses on colonized people and hits at about 250 pages.

From GR: A distinguished psychiatrist from Martinique who took part in the Algerian Nationalist Movement, Frantz Fanon was one of the most important theorists of revolutionary struggle, colonialism, and racial difference in history. Fanon's masterwork is a classic alongside Edward Said's Orientalism or The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and it is now available in a new translation that updates its language for a new generation of readers.

The Wretched of the Earth is a brilliant analysis of the psychology of the colonized and their path to liberation. Bearing singular insight into the rage and frustration of colonized peoples, and the role of violence in effecting historical change, the book incisively attacks the twin perils of post-independence colonial politics: the disenfranchisement of the masses by the elites on the one hand, and intertribal and interfaith animosities on the other.

Fanon's analysis, a veritable handbook of social reorganization for leaders of emerging nations, has been reflected all too clearly in the corruption and violence that has plagued present-day Africa. The Wretched of the Earth has had a major impact on civil rights, anticolonialism, and black consciousness movements around the world, and this bold new translation by Richard Philcox reaffirms it as a landmark.

I'll be reading this when my library hold arrives, but I have no idea when that will be.

I've just finished reading the new translation of this book. It's a worthwhile read that requires lots of concentration. Even though it was published in 1961, many of his ideas concerning the effects of colonialism are still relevant today.
For example, the huge diversity in income and living standards of the rich "bourgeoisie" in African cities and the poverty of the people living on the land.

I agree with a few of you on Sartre's very dated preface (my edition) and on the underestimated question of religion (which is not so surprising at the time). The FLN and independent Algeria did not follow his advice. Fanon, however, foresaw the dangers of neocolonization so clearly.

I agree on the mental demand this one requires. I unfortunately gave up because it's not a good time for me at the moment, but I definitely intend to come back to this when I have the mental energy for it.
I have also heard the tip to skip the introductions by others and just read Fanon's writing.

I did read the introductions and they were fine, but not necessary.

Rosemarie wrote: "I did read the introductions and they were fine, but not necessary."

Ah. I had started the first long one and think I had found it tedious and hard to understand and so not helpful...