An African History of Africa
From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence
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Average rating4
15
From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence
Ratings1
Average rating4
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE NERO BOOK AWARDS 2024* *An instant Sunday Times bestseller, Radio 4 Book of the Week and Guardian Best Summer Read* Selected as a book to look out for in 2024 by the Guardian and The Rest is Politics Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone. For too long, Africa’s history has been dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism, or simply ignored. Now, Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight. In this fascinating book, Badawi guides us through Africa’s spectacular history – from the origins of humanity, through ancient civilisations and medieval empires, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence. Visiting more than thirty African countries to interview countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers, Badawi weaves together a gripping new history of the oldest inhabited continent on the planet, told through the voices of Africans themselves.
Reviews with the most likes.
Journalist and filmmaker Zeinab Badawi admits that it's impossible to write a complete history of a continent in 450 pages, but she presents an impressive sample of notable African cultures, kingdoms, accomplishments and individuals, from the first homo sapiens through the African independence movement. The countless names and places overwhelmed me at times, but the author's passion about the material keeps it from becoming dry.
I'm sorry that none of this information was included in my 20th century World History textbooks. I'm even more angry and heartbroken that few if any American public schools will feel safe adding this book to their libraries in 2025.
