The Fortunes of Africa

The Fortunes of Africa PDF Author: Martin Meredith
Publisher: PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1610394607
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 770

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Book Description
A sweeping history the fortune seekers, adventurers, despots, and thieves who have ruthlessly endeavored to extract gold, diamonds, and other treasures from Africa and its people. Africa has been coveted for its rich natural resources ever since the era of the Pharaohs. In past centuries, it was the lure of gold, ivory, and slaves that drew merchant-adventurers and conquerors from afar. In modern times, the focus of attention is on oil, diamonds, and other rare earth minerals. In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonization. He examines, too, the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse of their future. His cast of characters includes religious leaders, mining magnates, warlords, dictators, and many other legendary figures-among them Mansa Musa, ruler of the medieval Mali empire, said to be the richest man the world has ever known.

The Fortunes of Africa

The Fortunes of Africa PDF Author: Martin Meredith
Publisher: PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1610394607
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 770

Get Book Here

Book Description
A sweeping history the fortune seekers, adventurers, despots, and thieves who have ruthlessly endeavored to extract gold, diamonds, and other treasures from Africa and its people. Africa has been coveted for its rich natural resources ever since the era of the Pharaohs. In past centuries, it was the lure of gold, ivory, and slaves that drew merchant-adventurers and conquerors from afar. In modern times, the focus of attention is on oil, diamonds, and other rare earth minerals. In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonization. He examines, too, the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse of their future. His cast of characters includes religious leaders, mining magnates, warlords, dictators, and many other legendary figures-among them Mansa Musa, ruler of the medieval Mali empire, said to be the richest man the world has ever known.

The State of Africa

The State of Africa PDF Author: Martin Meredith
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0857203894
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1082

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Book Description
'Meredith has given a spectacularly clear view of the African political jungle' – Spectator 'This book is hard to beat... Elegantly written as well as unerringly accurate' – Financial Times The fortunes of Africa have changed dramatically since the independence era began in 1957. As Europe’s colonial powers withdrew, dozens of new states were born. Africa was a continent rich in mineral resources and its economic potential was immense. Yet, it soon struggled with corruption, violence and warfare, with few states managing to escape the downward spiral. So what went wrong? In this riveting and authoritative account, Martin Meredith examines the myriad problems that Africa has faced, focusing upon key personalities, events and themes of the independence era. He brings his compelling analysis into the modern day, exploring Africa’s enduring struggles for democracy and the rising influence of China. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the continent’s plight and its hopes for a brighter future.

Fortunes of Africa

Fortunes of Africa PDF Author: Martin Meredith
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1471135462
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 823

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Book Description
In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith, bestselling author of The State of Africa, follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonisation. He examines, too, the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse into their future. This is history on an epic scale.

The Fortunes of Wangrin

The Fortunes of Wangrin PDF Author: Amadou Hampaté Bâ
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 9780253334299
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
A novel on the evils of white colonialism in Africa. Set in French-ruled Mali, the hero is a young teacher who plays the white man's idea of a good Black in order to advance his career.

Born in Africa

Born in Africa PDF Author: Martin Meredith
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0857206672
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 297

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Book Description
Africa does not give up its secrets easily. Buried there lie answers about the origins of humankind and the dawn of civilisation. Through a century of archaeological investigation, scientists have transformed our understanding of the beginnings of human life, although vital clues still remain hidden. In Born in Africa, Martin Meredith follows the trail of discoveries about our human origins made by scientists over the last hundred years, as well as describing the history of scholarship in this incredibly exciting field. He relates the intense rivalries, personal feuds and fierce controversies that shaped the study and perception of Africa, and recounts the feats of skill and endurance that have illuminated thousands of years of human evolution. The results have been momentous. Scientists have identified more than twenty species of extinct humans and firmly established Africa as the birthplace not only of humankind, but also of our own species: homo sapiens, the modern human. Scientific study has revealed how early technology, language ability and artistic endeavour all originated in Africa, and scientists have shown how, in an exodus sixty thousand years ago, small groups of Africans left their birthplace to populate the rest of the world. We all have an African legacy, and in this fascinating and informative book Martin Meredith leads us back to the place where we have rediscovered our common human heritage.

Fortune's Rocks

Fortune's Rocks PDF Author: Anita Shreve
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 9780316781015
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 468

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Book Description
Olympia Biddeford's passionate affair with a married man nearly three times her age, results in her being exiled from society and forces her to make a new life for herself.

History of Africa

History of Africa PDF Author: Kevin Shillington
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1137524812
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 542

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Book Description
This fourth edition of this best-selling core history textbook offers a richly illustrated, single volume, narrative introduction to African history, from a hugely respected authority in the field. The market-leading range of illustrated material from prior editions is now further improved, featuring not only additional and redrawn maps and a refreshed selection of photographs, but the addition of full colour to make these even more instructive, evocative and attractive. Already hugely popular on introductory African History courses, the book has been widely praised for its engaging and readable style, and is unrivalled in scope, both geographically and chronologically – while many competitors limit themselves to certain regions or eras, Shillington chronicles the entire continent, from prehistory right up to the present day. For this new edition, both content and layout have been thoroughly refreshed and restructured to make this wealth of material easily navigable, and even more appealing to students unfamiliar with the subject. New to this Edition: - Now in full colour with fresh new design - Part structure and part intros added to help navigation - New and improved online resources include a new testbank, interactive timelines, lecturer slides, debates In African history, essay questions and further readings - Revised and updated in light of recent research

Making Africa Work

Making Africa Work PDF Author: Greg Mills
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 1849049793
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Book Description
Sub-Saharan Africa faces three big inter-related challenges over the next generation. It will double its population to two billion by 2045. By then more than half of Africans will be living in cities. And this group of mostly young people will be connected with each other and the world through mobile devices. Properly harnessed and planned for, this is a tremendously positive force for change. Without economic growth and jobs, it could prove a political and social catastrophe. Old systems of patronage and of muddling through will no longer work because of these population increases. Instead, if leaders want to continue in power, they will have to promote economic growth in a more dynamic manner. Making Africa Work is a first-hand account and handbook of how to ensure growth beyond commodities and create jobs in the continent.

Fortunes

Fortunes PDF Author: Ebbe Dommisse
Publisher: Icon Books
ISBN: 9781776191468
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
A comprehensive work based on personal interviews and insider knowledge - bound to become a classic.

Continental Shift

Continental Shift PDF Author: Kevin Bloom
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781846273742
Category : Africa
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
An on-the-road detective story and a report from the economic frontier, Continental Shift follows the money defining and transforming life in 21st Century Africa.