"A compelling historical reconstruction.... [A]n analysis distinguished by its utter respect for the specificity of historical experience."--Irene Grendzier, The Nation

"Mahmood Mamdani's powerful new volume challenges the established wisdom of Africanists concerning the European colonial impact on Africa and Africa's postcolonial settlement.... [I]mpressive."--Robert L. Tignor, American Historical Review

"This book explores a provocative and original thesis about African politics, with the vigor and rigor that readers of Professor Mamdani's earlier work will expect. Anyone who cares to understand the state in contemporary Africa--anyone who wants to understand the current situation on the continent at all--would do well to read this new book. Whether you agree or disagree, this is a book to learn from."--Kwame Anthony Appiah

"Mahmood Mamdani is one of the most original thinkers writing about Africa today. His skills in comparative analysis and conceptual refinement are strikingly illustrated in this volume."--Ali A. Mazrui, Institute for Global Studies, SUNY-Binghamton

"Citizen and Subjectis going to be a verynecessarybook. Mamdani's exposition, of a rare clarity, offers us a broadness of vision based upon experience and knowledge always informed by his profound perceptiveness."--Breyten Breytenbach, South African writer

Mahmood Mamdani
With a new preface by the author