Dark Age : The Political Odyssey of Emperor Bokassa

Dark Age recounts the turbulent political career of recently deceased Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the flamboyant president-for-life and later emperor of the Central African Republic/Empire. Brian Titley examines the myths and legends surrounding the man, probes their origins and veracity, and attempts to provide a more balanced perspective on this controversial and misunderstood figure. Following a lengthy career in the French army, Bokassa seized power in the Central African Republic in 1966. His flamboyance and excesses soon became legendary: he was accused of cannibalism, feeding enemies to lions and crocodiles, and beating schoolchildren to death. Bokassa's tendency for self-aggrandizement culminated in 1977 when he named himself emperor and orchestrated a coronation in the style of Napoleon's. He was overthrown by French paratroopers in 1979 and went into exile, but returned to his homeland in 1985 to face a sensational trial. Titley interprets Bokassa's authoritarian and self-aggrandizing style as an attempt to legitimize his regime in a context devoid of indigenous political structures and explores the troubled relations between France and its former colonies. Combining techniques of historical inquiry and investigative journalism, he has produced a fascinating account of a pivotal chapter in contemporary African history. Dark Age Recounts The Turbulent Political Career Of The Late Jean-bedel Bokassa, Flamboyant President-for-life And Later Emperor Of The Central African Republic/empire. Brian Titley Examines The Myths And Legends Surrounding The Man, Probes Their Origins And Veracity, And Attempts To Provide A More Balanced Perspective On This Controversial And Misunderstood Figure. Following A Lengthy Career In The French Army, Bokassa Seized Power In The Central African Republic In 1966. His Excesses Soon Became Legendary: He Was Accused Of Cannibalism, Feeding Enemies To Lions And Crocodiles, And Beating Schoolchildren To Death. Bokassa's Tendency For Self-aggrandizement Culminated In 1977 When He Named Himself Emperor And Orchestrated A Coronation Based On Napoleon's. He Was Overthrown By French Paratroopers In 1979 And Went Into Exile, But Returned To His Homeland In 1985 To Face A Sensational Trial. Titley Interprets Bokassa's Authoritarian And Self-aggrandizing Style As An Attempt To Legitimize His Regime In A Context Devoid Of Indigenous Political Structures And Explores The Troubled Relations Between France And Its Former Colonies. Combining Techniques Of Historical Inquiry And Investigative Journalism, He Has Produced A Fascinating Account Of A Pivotal Chapter In Contemporary African History.--jacket. Brian Titley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [243]-29) And Index. "Dark Age recounts the turbulent political career of the late Jean-Bedel Bokassa, flamboyant president-for-life and later emperor of the Central African Republic/Empire. Brian Titley examines the myths and legends surrounding the man, probes their origins and veracity, and attempts to provide a more balanced perspective on this controversial and misunderstood figure." "Following a lengthy career in the French army, Bokassa seized power in the Central African Republic in 1966. His excesses soon became legendary: he was accused of cannibalism, feeding enemies to lions and crocodiles, and beating schoolchildren to death. Bokassa's tendency for self-aggrandizement culminated in 1977 when he named himself emperor and orchestrated a coronation based on Napoleon's. He was overthrown by French paratroopers in 1979 and went into exile, but returned to his homeland in 1985 to face a sensational trial." "Titley interprets Bokassa's authoritarian and self-aggrandizing style as an attempt to legitimize his regime in a context devoid of indigenous political structures and explores the troubled relations between France and its former colonies. Combining techniques of historical inquiry and investigative journalism, he has produced a fascinating account of a pivotal chapter in contemporary African history." --Résumé de l'éditeur Recounts the turbulent political career of recently deceased Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the flamboyant president-for-life and later emperor of the Central African Republic/Empire. Following a lengthy career in the French Army, Bokassa seized power in the Central African Republic in 1966. Examines the myths and legends surrounding the man, and attempts to provide a balanced view of this controversial and misunderstood figure. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. Contents Preface Illustrations Map 1 Colonial Interlude 2 Coup d'état 3 Papa Bok 4 Extended Family 5 The French Connection 6 La folie des grandeurs 7 Oui, Majesté impériale 8 Autumn of the Patriarch 9 Barracuda 10 Operation Revenge 11 The New Republic 12 La vérité et l'honneur 13 Accounting for His Stewardship Epilogue Conclusion Notes A Note on Sources Bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

a Gripping Political Biography Of One Of Africa's Most Controversial Leaders.