The Ruins Of Empires by Akala

The Ruins Of Empires Reviews

• 
  Woody Hayday

  Akala has laid out a compelling narrative which thoroughly delivers, as per his usual form. I went to see an early spoken performance of the main story in this graphic novel in December 2014 which was phenomenal. I look forward to a full performance piece and urge you to look out for it. Get a copy of this, it's eloquent and enjoyable, and you'll be supporting genuine progressive culture.
  
  There are further narratives in the book which describe some awful travesties, incredibly sad acts which are rarely known truths of history. Likely if you're down this path you'll know bits of them, but they did shock me in Akala's visceral descriptions.
  
  Those expecting a full-on graphic novel may be surprised at the format, which features full page drawings next to verse. I think Akala may have had integrated these more thoroughly, (though I suspect the artist may have set some constraints, and it doesn't lessen the value in my eyes).
  
  
  
  Woody Hayday
• 
  Tobias Taylor

  It's not crass or priapic but it's hard to read,
  History is not a pleasant tale, all told.
  However, there are lessons here, for those that head
  The world is ruined by the rich, corrected by the bold.
  Human nature battles human nature; kindness versus greed.
  Both disgust and heartbreak is here, the world is uncouth,
  Alongside Monarchs, Caliphs, and Tzars.
  We have Akala who gives us Fire in the Booth,
  But thinking we're free because they say so, is so far
  Removed from the truth.
  
  "And if god has pale skin, and eyes a shade of blue
  Who would challenge men that resembled god, not you?"
• 
  Elizabeth Crawte

  Hello - I’m really after a copy of this book but can’t find it anywhere. Please can someone help? It’s for someone I really love!
• 
  Danny Nason

  As a fan of graphic novels and a worshipper of Akala, when I heard that he was writing his own graphic novel exploring the theme of Empire that permeates much of his work, I thought it was too good to be true. And...to some extent it kind of was. Firstly, this isn’t really a ‘graphic novel’ as the marketing suggested. It’s initially an epic poem alongside some rather bland illustrations, and then becomes a few short vignettes about political uprisings and revolutions. These are where Akala shines- he is an exceptional writer and the narratives he shared- based on true historical events- are inspiring and richly crafted.
  
  However, as a whole text, this was really quite disappointing. It seems largely self-published and there is almost no editing: there are grammar mistakes throughout and this seems a little unforgivable for an expensive book I had to ship over from the UK. I wanted to love this because I absolutely love most things Akala does but perhaps my expectations were too high and unreasonable. I know that he released a visual version of the narrative poem and perhaps that will be a better format for this work, if only I can find a copy somehow!
• 
  Paul Kearney

  Vivid and educational, Oft forgotten historical revolutionary poetry. Of the kind assured to be on the list to be burnt after dictatorial takeover.
  Page doesn't always project the power of the medium Akala's famous for, Spoken word.