Ere Roosevelt Came: The Adventures of the Man in the Cloak - A Pan-African Novel of the Global 1930s

Ere Roosevelt Came is a novel by Duse Mohamed Ali that was originally serialized in 1934. It is a Pan-African novel that explores the rise of global fascism and white supremacy, and the growing geopolitical influence of the USA in the interwar period. The novel is presented with two original essays and appendices that provide further insight into Ali's vision of a Pan-African future.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 January 2024
Publisher: Pluto Press

Ere Roosevelt Came is a captivating addition to the rich tapestry of Pan-African creative writing from the 1930s. Authored by the pioneering Pan-Africanist Duse Mohamed Ali, this short novel originally appeared in The Comet, a Nigerian magazine, in 1934. At its core, the story delves into the rise of global fascism and white supremacy, as well as the increasing geopolitical influence of the United States during the interwar period. This novel is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy, intricate storytelling, and speculative elements, offering a captivating portrayal of how Black American airmen, operating in secrecy, unite to confront an international coalition of white supremacists and Russian foreign agents who are determined to ignite a new world war. Through its narrative, the book unveils the interconnectedness of Black liberation struggles, Bolshevism, and the emergence of so-called "colored" Japanese empires within the Pan-African literary imagination.

Written by a Sudanese-Egyptian and serialized in a West African magazine, Ere Roosevelt Came stands as a remarkable Pan-African novel, showcasing the complexities of Black internationalism during the interwar years. To enhance the reader's understanding of Ali's vision, the book is accompanied by two original contextualizing essays and appendices, which feature selected other writings by the author. This comprehensive collection provides further insight into Ali's profound ideas and contributions to the Pan-African movement.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 140 x 217 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780745348605