A new work pulling together the material was overdue. Having trawled through United States and United Nations archives; accessed declassified memos and cables, private letters, and unpublished documents; and interviewed Lumumba’s surviving family members, Reid has brought welcome narrative coherence to a globe-spanning, multilayered story. He manages a difficult balancing act, serving up the detail that will satisfy experts while providing the dramatic tension and character analysis craved by the general reader. Despite the story’s complexity, one’s attention never wanders ... When it comes to drama, Reid had quality ingredients to work with.
Reid’s attention to detail makes for a sometimes difficult and occasionally confusing reading. While not recommended for casual readers, serious students of modern history may find The Lumumba Plot rewarding.
