A history cambridge, 1988, which was awarded the herskovits prize of the african studies association of the united states. The author draws upon his unexcelled command of modern african history, society, and culture, at the same time reemphasizing that africa had evolved her own cities, civilizations, indeed empires, as great as any in western europe before the first europeans ever ventured onto the continent. The prize will be adjudicated by the editors of the journal of modern african studies. He argues that imperialism has cast a long shadow and differentiates between external pressures to control africa and the internal failures of its leadership. A revised and updated edition of this magisterial and sweeping history of modern africa. The history of external colonisation of africa can be dated from ancient, medieval, or modern history, depending on how the term colonisation is defined. Cambridge histories cambridge histories is the essential reference collection spanning 350 volumes in 10 subject areas. This thorough yet accessible text help readers to understand key concepts, recognize significant themes, and identify the processes that shaped the modern history of africa. About the author basil davidson is the author of more than ten books on african history and has devoted over thirty years to the intensive study of the african peoples.
Economy, society and warfare in the nineteenth century 2002, war in precolonial eastern africa 2007, and frontiers of violence in northeast africa 2011, as well as numerous articles on the nineteenth and. Landmark information from the african history books on this site, shows black ancestors wrote the bible. A history of modern africa recounts the full breadth of historical events that have shaped the last two centuries of the african continent. A history of modern africa is an essential recounting of the turning points of africas past and the rich and diverse strands of african culture that will help shape its future. Link to one of the megasites which track web resources. The decade of hope is the first of four parttitles in the book.
Scientists believe that africa was the birthplace of mankind. Problems in the history of modern africa by robert o. Jan 17, 2012 richard reid is reader in the history of africa at the school of oriental and african studies, university of london. About the author richard reid is reader in the history of africa at the school of oriental and african studies, university of london. What are the best books on african history and african culture. Although relatively small in area and population, ghana is one of the leading countries of africa and is celebrated for its rich history. African history teens, history teens, books barnes. Jan 24, 2012 reid also explores the contemporary tensions facing africa, including those most apparent in recent developments in darfur, sudan, somalia, cote divoire, and libya. Of course, it does cover places, people, and events. For anyone interested in modern african history this is a great book. He specializes in wars of empire and is the author of the indian mutiny shortlisted for the westminster medal for military literature. South africa has played minor roles in large conflicts and large roles in minor ones, a fact that has made for few broad military histories of that state.
What are the best books on african history and african. The history of africa begins with the emergence of hominids, archaic humans andat least 200,000 years agoanatomically modern humans homo sapiens, in east africa, and continues unbroken into the present as a patchwork of diverse and politically developing nation states. Oxford handbook of modern african history oxford handbooks. The earliest history of books actually predates what would conventionally be called books today and begins with tablets, scrolls, and sheets of papyrus. David, who went on to edit the journal for 35 years, passed away in 2009. Kenya is bordered by somalia on the east, the indian ocean on the southeast, tanzania on the south, lake victoria victoria nyanza on the southwest, uganda on the west, south sudan on the northwest, and ethiopia on the north. Adopts a longterm approach to current issues, stressing the importance of nineteenthcentury and deeper indigenous dynamics in. The only shortcoming is that it does not give much background to the nations it is writing about, it also does not deal as much as it couold have with the importance of tribe in african politics and history, even one map showing the numerous tribes would have been helpful. The end of world war ii signaled the end of the european afric. Yet men have rarely been the subject of gender research in africa, and africanist scholars have yet to fully address how shifting meanings of gender have affected african men or how the understandings and practices of masculinity have been. The prize is named in honour david and helen kimble who cofounded the journal in 1963.
He is the author of numerous books and articles on aspects of south african history, including the making of south africa 1988, a historical dictionary of south africa 1983, new ed. Oct 10, 2004 saul david is a historian and broadcaster. Given the long interaction among europe, africa, and the middle east, all had previously been seen as part of a single world, as is evident from premodern maps. Notably, prior to the modern era, africa was not seen as a terribly different part of the world. He is the author of several books on africa, including a modern history of tanganyika cambridge, 1979 and the african poor. Saul davids favourite books on south african history books. Although a massive read the author writes with skill and interest, thoroughly researched with obscure primary sources and based on new material available from archives this book is a wonderful account of modern africa. Therefore, the bible is the definitive blackhistory book that tells black history going back 6000 years. The guardian has supplemented their interactive timeline of africa s modern political history with a list of books that they think best tell the africa s stories the list, compiled by the. Each of these is a loaded topic, bound to generate strong reactions. In addition to direct links to documents, links are made to a number of other web resources. A history of modern africa explores two centuries of the continents political, economic, and social history.
One of the most revered african leaders of modern times who is never mentioned in any of the major history books or the history chanel is. The end of the second world war heralded the rapid end of european african empires. Africa a modern history, 19452015, 2nd edition ebook. A brief west african history, its past civilization and tourist attractions. Collins book is an anthology of articles built around several themes which are critical for understanding modern africa. List of books and articles about kenyan history online. After introductory chapters on the nineteenth century, dr iliffe concentrates on the colonial period, and especially on economic, social and intellectual change among africans as the core of their colonial experience and the basis of their political behaviour. The history of the book starts with the development of writing, and various other inventions such as paper and printing, and continues through to the modern day business of book printing. This is the first comprehensive and fully documented history of modern tanganyika mainland tanzania. Stresses the diversity of africa s rich variety of people, societies, cultures and religious beliefs. A short history 2006, as well as editing a new edition of a threevolume work of historical documents and classic contributions to the discipline. The history of africa 71 reason to draw attention to robert o. Meroe is an ancient city on the east bank of the nile app. List of books and articles about east african history.
It is intended to serve the needs of teachers and students in college survey courses in modern european history and american history, as well as in modern western civilization and world cultures. Named one of the top 10 best african american books of 2009 by kam williams internationally renowned book, film and music critic considered to be the most important book published in the eleven year history of the company, african. In 1945, only four african countries were independent. By 100,000 bc modern humans lived by hunting and gathering with stone tools. Succeeding decades are similarly characterised by a. The oldest known skeletal remains of anatomically modern humans or homo sapiens sapiens were excavated at sites in east africa. A history of modern africa is an essential recounting of the turning points of africa s past and the rich and diverse strands of african culture that will help shape its future. David and helen kimble prize the editors of the journal of modern african studies are proud to announce the david and helen kimble prize, to be awarded annually to the authors of the best academic article published in the journal in the previous calendar year. The 10 best contemporary african books culture the. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.
Adopts a longterm approach to current issues, stressing the importance of nineteenthcentury and deeper indigenous dynamics in explaining. Aug 22, 2018 from ancient sudan to medieval zimbabwe, get the facts on seven african kingdoms that made their mark on history. Choose from used and new textbooks or get instant access with etextbooks and digital materials. South africa has a rich and vibrant history of producing excellent literature. Myth or reality by cheikh anta diop you can also watch his interview on youtube. It focuses on the history of the continent in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although also looks back to the era of the atlantic slave trade. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
The authors introduce key forces and major developments that together form the american experience, with particular. Aug 10, 2006 a magisterial and sweeping history of modern africa. This book critically reflects upon the current state of the field of modern african history. The end of the second world war heralded the rapid end of european african em. Since then, the literature on the history of africa has grown considerably in both scope and quality, and many new themes have appeared. Collected poems by gabriel okara nebraska university press along with publishing a first book by an emerging new african poet each year, the africa book fund has also committed to publishing a collected edition of a major living african poet each year, and this year it is gabriel okara, the only person who could ever be called both the elder statesman of nigerian literature. The history of africa begins with the emergence of hominids, archaic humans andat least 200,000 years ago anatomically modern humans homo sapiens, in east africa, and continues unbroken into the present as a patchwork of diverse and politically developing nation states. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Click on the title below to find out more about the book. Muslim notables, populist protest, colonial encounters algeria and tunisia,18001904 1994, which received three book awards.
A modern history, guy arnold brings a lifetime of thought and experience to his examination of the continent during these momentous years. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most courses. The guardian compiles a list of the top african history books. North africa and europe in an age of migration 2011, which won three book awards, and rebel and saint. Africa, the journal of the international african institute the best work now available to the general public on the main outlines of the prestigious past of the african continent.
Instead, i found a book on african history, in the sense of african history as a subject itself. After the revolt, britain increased african representation in the colonys legislative council until, in 1961, there was an african majority. In popular parlance, discussions of colonialism in africa usually focus on the european conquests of the new imperialism and the scramble for africa 18841914 era, followed by gradual decolonisation. Christopher saunders is associate professor in the history department at the university of cape town.
The end of the second world war signalled the rapid end of the european african empires. Hunt the beginnings of urban segregation in south africa. Helen, who is now in her nineties, still takes an active interest in african affairs. Ghana, country of western africa, situated on the coast of the gulf of guinea. He is the author of political power in precolonial buganda. European colonialism, chiefdoms, traditional beliefs in sorcery and witchcrafts celebration after midnight, cultural heritage, how women secret societies operate and their initiation. Updated and revised to emphasise longterm perspectives on current issues facing the continent, the new 2nd edition of a history of modern africa recounts the full breadth of africa s political, economic, and social history over the past two centuries. But its more a book about understanding the themes in african history and of africa as a. The journal of modern african studies cambridge core. Jul 04, 2018 africa a modern history, 19452015, 2nd edition africa. Julia clancysmith is professor of history at the university of arizona. A modern history, 19452015, 2nd edition by guy arnoldenglish october 5, 2017 isbn. Historycovers the breadth of the chronological history of the united states and also provides the necessary depth to ensure the course is manageable for instructors and students alike.