"King Leopold's Ghost" (book by Adam Hochschild)

"King Leopold's Ghost" by Adam Hochschild is a nonfiction book that examines the brutal exploitation of the Congo during King Leopold II of Belgium’s personal rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It reveals how Leopold's private empire used forced labor to extract rubber and ivory, leading to widespread atrocities and millions of deaths. The book also details the efforts of journalists and activists who exposed these abuses, helping to bring international attention and eventually ending Leopold’s personal control. It highlights themes of colonialism, human rights, and the importance of awareness and activism.