The Doctor Who Would Be King

Dr. Jean Joseph David, a French colonial army doctor, governed an entire region of French Cameroon during World War II. Lachenal explores the memories and remains of Dr. David's rule to reveal a global history of violence, desire, and failure.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

In the captivating book "The Doctor Who Would Be King," Guillaume Lachenal delves into the extraordinary tale of Dr. Jean Joseph David, a French colonial army doctor who assumed the role of ruler over a vast region of French Cameroon during World War II. Renowned as "emperor" by the locals, Dr. David harbored a grand vision of creating a medical utopia, driven by an unbridled desire to alleviate the suffering, ignorance, and illness plaguing the colonized subjects. Fueled by unchecked power, he embarked on a mission to fulfill the colonialist dream of emancipating these individuals from their miserable conditions. Lachenal's meticulously researched work draws upon a wealth of archives, oral histories, and ethnographic fieldwork to trace Dr. David's earlier attempts at a similar project on a Polynesian island and the enduring legacies of his failed experiment in Cameroon.

Rather than presenting a mere recounting of imperial hubris, Lachenal skillfully brings the past into the present, exploring the memories and remnants of Dr. David's rule to unveil a profound global history of violence, desire, and failure. Within this tragic comedy of power, the hope for a better future becomes intertwined with the lamentable consequences of human actions. Through his meticulous research, Lachenal sheds light on the complex web of events that shaped Dr. David's rule and the broader historical context in which it unfolded. He uncovers the echoes of colonialism, the struggles for independence, and the enduring impacts of imperialism on the lives of individuals and communities.

"The Doctor Who Would Be King" is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of power, ambition, and the human condition. Lachenal's meticulous storytelling and insightful analysis offer a fresh perspective on the complexities of history, challenging readers to reflect on the legacies of colonialism and the ongoing struggles for justice and equality. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, and the human experience, as it provides a profound understanding of the forces that have shaped our world and the urgent need for a more compassionate and equitable future.

Weight: 567g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478015246