Frantz Fanon is one of the most important figures in the history of what is now known as postcolonial studies â¤" the field that examines the meaning and impacts of European colonialism across the world. Born in the French colony of Martinique, Fanon worked as a psychiatrist in Algeria, another French colony that saw brutal violence during its revolution against French rule. His experiences power the searing indictment of colonialism that is his final book, 1961â¤s The Wretched of the Earth. Fanonâ¤s account of the physical and psychological violence of colonialism forms the basis of a passionate, closely reasoned call to arms â¤" a call for violent revolution. Incendiary even today, it was more so in its time; the book first being published during the brutal conflict caused by the Algerian Revolution. Viewed as a profoundly dangerous work by the colonial powers of the world, Fanonâ¤s book helped to inspire liberation struggles across the globe. Though it has flaws, The Wretched of the Earth is above all a testament to the power of passionately sustained and closely reasoned argument: Fanonâ¤s presentation of his evidence combines with his passion to produce an argument that it is almost impossible not to be swayed by.