«

‘A major achievement. Taking us from independence to the 2014 popular revolution, this brilliant book enriches our understanding of both revolutions and African history.’
Jack A. Goldstone, George Mason University

‘Few outsiders understand Burkina Faso better than Harsch, and nobody has written about it with more clarity and elegance. This is a sympathetic yet rigorous introduction to Burkina’s political history, the best there is in English.’
Pierre Englebert, Pomona College

‘A riveting and accessible account of the insurgent actions of ordinary citizens in Burkina Faso, and of the righteous anger that fuels them. Provides excellent insights into the power of popular protest in Africa and beyond.’
Zachariah Mampilly, co-author of Africa Uprising: Popular Protest and Political Change

‘A must-read for anyone interested in popular protests in Africa. Harsch provides a compelling history of the making of modern Burkina Faso, based on decades of research and an intimate knowledge of the country.’
Maggie Dwyer, University of Edinburgh

‘A fascinating journey through the turbulent history of Burkina Faso. This book shows how the 2014 uprising was both a remarkable and original episode in the country’s long tradition of protests and political inventiveness.’
Marie-Soleil Frère, Université libre de Bruxelles

‘Smart, accessible, and essential reading for all who are interested in African politics. It provides new insight into Burkina Faso’s fascinating political history, from Sankara to the 2014 uprising.’
Laura Seay, Colby College

‘Burkina Faso finds itself at the heart of the current Sahelian crisis, while simultaneously navigating its own revolutionary democratic transition. Harsch’s insightful and lively account offers keen insights into the political history of a fascinating – yet unfortunately understudied – country.’
Leonardo A. Villalón, University of Florida

'A superb introduction to this small, landlocked country.'
Foreign Affairs

'Rich with detail of Burkinabé society and the complex relationships of power, patronage and social class … riveting and informative.'
Africa at LSE

‘An easy read that students of history and politics will find invaluable.’
Africa Renewal

»