The Story of Haile Selassie I.
About this book
The Story of Haile Selassie I is a sweeping and unforgettable portrait of one of the most remarkable figures of the twentieth century — a man who embodied the strength, dignity, and spirit of Africa during a time of global change. Through powerful storytelling and meticulous research, Marlon James brings to life the extraordinary journey of Ethiopia’s last emperor, Haile Selassie I — a monarch, reformer, and icon whose influence still echoes across the world today.Born Tafari Makonnen in 1892, he rose from humble beginnings in the Ethiopian highlands to sit upon one of the oldest thrones in the world — a throne that claimed direct descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. As Emperor Haile Selassie I, he became a living symbol of hope and resistance, leading his nation through invasion, exile, and triumph. When Mussolini’s Italy unleashed its fascist aggression upon Ethiopia in 1935, Selassie stood before the League of Nations and delivered one of history’s most haunting speeches, “It is us today. It will be you tomorrow.” His words, ignored by the world at the time, became prophetic as World War II erupted only years later.But this book does more than tell the story of a ruler — it unveils the man behind the crown. It explores his faith, vision, and contradictions; his deep devotion to his people; and his tireless mission to modernize Ethiopia while preserving its ancient roots. From the golden halls of Addis Ababa to the battlefields of liberation, from his exile in England to his triumphant return to his homeland, readers are taken on an epic journey through courage, diplomacy, and destiny.Haile Selassie’s legacy extends far beyond Ethiopia’s borders. To millions of Rastafarians around the world, he is Jah — the Conquering Lion of Judah, the divine symbol of black liberation and unity. To historians, he remains a reformer who tried to bridge tradition and progress. To ordinary Africans, he was a voice of independence in a continent long oppressed. His reign may have ended with revolution in 1974, but his name, his image, and his words continue to inspire freedom movements, faith communities, and cultural icons from Jamaica to Johannesburg.Marlon James captures not only the triumphs but also the trials of Haile Selassie’s reign — the human struggles behind the royal façade, the political tensions that surrounded him, and the final years that saw his empire crumble under the weight of change. Yet, through it all, Selassie’s unyielding faith in God and in the destiny of his people never faded.Rich in detail and emotion, The Story of Haile Selassie I is both a history and a meditation — a timeless exploration of leadership, faith, and the enduring power of conviction. It reminds readers that true greatness is not measured by crowns or titles, but by the courage to stand for what is right, even when the world turns its back.This book will resonate with lovers of history, biography, spirituality, and African heritage — a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the man behind the legend, and the enduring flame of one of the world’s most fascinating figures.