Welcome to Lit in a Nutshell — the podcast that brings powerful books and ideas to life for busy minds.

In today’s episode, we dive into The Assassination of Lumumba by Ludo De Witte — a groundbreaking investigation into one of Africa’s most haunting political tragedies. This book unravels the hidden story behind the 1961 murder of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first democratically elected Prime Minister — a man who dared to dream of true independence for his people.

Through meticulous research and declassified documents, De Witte exposes the web of colonial interests, Cold War politics, and Western complicity that led to Lumumba’s fall — and the silencing of a leader who symbolized African unity and self-determination.

Stay tuned as we explore how this book reshapes our understanding of Congo’s history, the global power games of the 20th century, and the price of political courage in a world driven by fear and greed.