World of Politics with Harry McGee

When I was studying English in University College Galway in the 1980s, one of our prescribed texts was The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

The story was about a steamboat captain, Marlowe, travelling upriver through the very difficult terrain of the Congo in the late 19th century to meet a man named Kurtz, who had a legendary status as a trader and inspirational figure.

As reflected by the title, the journey was savage and gruelling – and Marlowe witnessed scenes of cruelty, indignity and slaughter that were overwhelming and unedifying.

When he finally came to meet Kurtz, it became quickly obvious that........

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