A fascinating and well-researched book about one of the most neglected and puzzling countries in the world.
Why has Madagascar has failed to make any meaningful progress since independence? A mix of journalism and scholarship, the book is the result of almost nine months spent on the ground in Madagascar travelling and interviewing a wide range of political leaders at the national and local levels, including an unprecedented interview with the country’s former president, Marc Ravalomanana. The book takes as its point of departure the military coup in 2009 that replaced Ravalomanana with Andry Rajoelina, and all of the negative aftershocks that followed, as well as including chapters on the bleak economic prospects of young people across the island, the unsustainable population growth that threatens so much of its future and a unique chapter on the effects of climate change on the southern region of Madagascar, where worsening droughts have left millions in humanitarian peril.
“The Tragedy of Madagascar is a must read for anyone who cares about the fascinating, beguiling, maddening red island off the coast of Africa - or for anyone who wonders why so many forgotten, seemingly invisible people are trapped in poverty across the globe. With a sharp eye for detail, analysis, and storytelling, Adams is an expert guide who brings the island to life. There are few books about Madagascar, and this one will quickly become the go-to book to understand the island's history, its politics, and its depressing trajectory. A fascinating, well-written read.”
Adams's general introduction to a country that remains largely ignored by English-language scholars and journalists is welcome. As Adams makes clear, electoral politics in the country have been dominated by intra-elite personal conflicts and successive governments have been self-serving and ineffective...An excellent final chapter focuses on the southern half of the island, which faces a looming environmental disaster thanks to a combination of global warming and the central government's persistent neglect.-- "Foreign Affairs"
The Tragedy of Madagascar by Nathaniel Adams offers an unparalleled and thrillingly bold examination of the island's past, present and future.-- "Netgalley"
--Brian Klaas, Washington Post columnist and author of The Despot's Apprentice: Donald Trump's Attack on Democracy
Adams's book is incredibly insightful and will be valuable for Malagasy leaders, its people, and the international community. It is well-written and well-researched, provides an in-depth picture of modern Madagascar, and is a wonderful contribution to the historical literature of the country. It sheds new light on the progress of democracy in a developing country and the responsibilities of our leaders and the Western countries. A great read for anyone interested in Madagascar's past and its future.--Monja Roindefo Zafitsimivalo, Former Prime Minister of Madagascar
The South of Madagascar has been struggling for years to find enough water to feed all of the people in the region. In his new book about the island, Nathaniel Adams has written an important chapter about climate change in the Great South, one that beautifully tells the stories of the millions of people here trying to survive in an unforgiving land.--Vital Batubilema, UN World Food Program, Madagascar
Nathaniel Adams is an attorney in the United States who has traveled to over 25 developing countries to pursue various business and personal interests. He spent over eight months in Madagascar in 2019 researching this book, his first.
'...a must read for anyone who cares about the fascinating, beguiling, maddening red island off the coast of Africa - or for anyone who wonders why so many forgotten, seemingly invisible people are trapped in poverty across the globe. With a sharp eye for detail, analysis, and storytelling, Adams is an expert guide who brings the island to life.' Brian Klaas, Washington Post columnistWhy has Madagascar failed to make any meaningful progress since independence? A mix of journalism and scholarship, The Tragedy of Madagascar is the result of almost nine months spent on that fascinating island interviewing a wide range of political leaders at the national and local levels, including a penetrating interview with the country's former president, Marc Ravalomanana. In addition to offering a new look at the nation's history, the book explores in depth the military coup in 2009 that replaced Ravalomanana with Andry Rajoelina, and all of the negative aftershocks that followed. It then mixes in chapters on the bleak economic prospects for young people across the island, the unsustainable population growth that threatens so much of its future, and a unique chapter on the effects of climate change on the southern region of Madagascar, where worsening droughts have left millions in humanitarian peril.
This item is eligible for simple returns within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. See our returns policy for further details.
