Tito in Africa: Picturing Solidarity (ISBN 9788684811464)—edited by Radina Vučetić and Paul Betts—is not a conventional narrative history but a vivid, image-driven exploration of Cold War diplomacy through the travels of Josip Broz Tito across the African continent.

In the decades after World War II, the world was divided between East and West—but Tito’s Yugoslavia charted a bold third path. Tito in Africa plunges readers into this dramatic geopolitical moment as Tito journeys across newly independent African nations, forging alliances that would shape the emerging Non-Aligned Movement.

Through striking archival photographs and insightful commentary, the book captures the spectacle and symbolism of these visits:

Tito arriving to cheering crowds and ceremonial welcomes

intimate meetings with revolutionary leaders and heads of state

encounters with workers, artists, and ordinary citizens

moments of curiosity and cultural exchange—from traditional dances to wildlife safaris

These images reveal far more than official diplomacy. They show a leader consciously building bridges between the “Second World” socialist states and the newly decolonized “Third World,” presenting Yugoslavia as a partner in anti-colonial solidarity and global independence.

As the book unfolds, the photographs and essays reveal a fascinating story: a small European country attempting to reshape world politics, and a charismatic leader using spectacle, personal diplomacy, and symbolism to create a network of allies across Africa.

In essence:

“Tito in Africa” is a visual journey through Cold War history—where politics, culture, and revolutionary optimism meet on the roads of Africa, captured in images that reveal how diplomacy can also be theater, friendship, and global ambition.