The revelatory New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller, shortlisted for the Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year Award.
An unflinching investigation reveals the human rights abuses behind the Congo’s cobalt mining operation—and the moral implications that affect us all.
Cobalt Red is the searing, first-ever exposé of the immense toll taken on the people and environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by cobalt mining, as told through the testimonies of the Congolese people themselves. Activist and researcher Siddharth Kara has traveled deep into cobalt territory to document the testimonies of the people living, working, and dying for cobalt. To uncover the truth about brutal mining practices, Kara investigated militia-controlled mining areas, traced the supply chain of child-mined cobalt from toxic pit to consumer-facing tech giants, and gathered shocking testimonies of people who endure immense suffering and even die mining cobalt.
Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. Roughly 75 percent of the world’s supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. Billions of people in the world cannot conduct their daily lives without participating in a human rights and environmental catastrophe in the Congo. In this stark and crucial book, Kara argues that we must all care about what is happening in the Congo—because we are all implicated.
Daniel Mitchell (verified owner) –
The ebooks I purchased were of high quality, with no formatting issues. It’s evident that this store cares about providing a great reading experience.
Olivia Brown (verified owner) –
The ebooks I purchased were of high quality, with no formatting issues. It’s evident that this store cares about providing a great reading experience.
Laura Miller (verified owner) –
I was skeptical about buying ebooks online, but this store exceeded my expectations. The book was well-formatted, and I had a smooth reading experience.
Mia Campbell (verified owner) –
I appreciate the recommendations feature on this online store. It’s introduced me to books I never would have discovered on my own.
Jacob Wright (verified owner) –
I’ve fallen in love with reading all over again, thanks to chiarareads.
Joshua Adams (verified owner) –
Ebooks are perfect for last-minute gift ideas. I can instantly send a great book to a friend or family member.
Sophia Bailey (verified owner) –
This online store’s commitment to promoting diverse authors and voices is commendable. I’ve discovered books I might have missed otherwise.
Lily Scott (verified owner) –
I’m a student, and ebooks have been a lifesaver. I can access my textbooks from anywhere, and it’s made studying so much easier.
Christopher Reed (verified owner) –
Ebooks have revolutionized how I read non-fiction books. I can easily search for specific topics and find relevant information quickly.
James Carter (verified owner) –
The ebooks I bought were a great value for the price. I got hours of entertainment for a fraction of the cost of physical books.