The mind of the African strongman

Herman J Cohen, The Mind of the African Strongman: Conversations with Dictators, Statesmen, and Father Figures, New Academia Publishing/Vellum, 2015, ISBN-13: 978- 098643530, 288 pp. $34.00 (Hardcover), $24.00 (Paperback) In the course of a forty-year career working on and in Africa Ambassador Herman "Hank" Cohen was called upon to deal with more than his share of renowned scoundrels, unabashed autocrats and charismatic leaders. [...]this unique intimacy was a reflection of his profound commitment to Africa and his understanding of the idiosyncrasies of each leader, acquired over a lifetime, beginning as a junior officer and running through his time as Senior Director for Africa in the White House and Ambassador to Senegal under President Reagan and as Assistant Secretary of State for Africa under President George H. W. Bush.