A comprehensive introduction to the sprawling history of this enormous
continent, from the dawn of human time in prehistoric Africa right
through to Arab Spring
Beginning with the origins of the human race and the development of
stone age technology, this history of the cradle of civilization moves
through ancient and medieval times, the significance of the Arab
presence, the Muslim states, and the trans-Saharan trade. It continues
with the rise and fall of nation states and kingdoms prior to the
arrival of Europeans, Ghana, the Kingdoms of the Forest and Savanna,
Yoruba, Oyo, Benin, Asante, Luba, Lunda, Lozil, and many others, on to
the beginning of the slave trade, and the European conquest and
colonization of sub-Saharan Africa, the Scramble for Africa. Finally
moving onto the often bitter struggles for independence from that period
of colonization and exploitation, it concludes with an assessment of
Africa in the 21st century.