The State of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence - Hardcover

Meredith, Martin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0743232216 ISBN 13: 9780743232210

Publisher: Free Press, 2005

Synopsis

Africa is forever on our TV screens, but the bad-news stories (famine, genocide, corruption) massively outweigh the good (South Africa). Ever since the process of decolonialisation began in the mid-1950s, and arguably before, the continent has appeared to be stuck in a process of irreversible decline. Constant war, improper use of natural resources and misappropriation of revenues and aid monies contribute to an impression of a continent beyond hope. How did we get here? What, if anything, is to be done? Weaving together the key stories and characters of the last fifty years into a stunningly compelling and coherent narrative, Martin Meredith has produced the definitive history of how European ideas of how to organise 10,000 different ethnic groups has led to what Tony Blair described as the 'scar on the conscience of the world'. Authoritative, provocative and consistently fascinating, this is a major book on one of the most important issues facing the West today.

About this title

Review:

'A brilliant and vitally important work for all who wish to understand Africa and its beleaguered people' -- Jay Freeman, Booklist

'A series of often vivid country snapshots . . . Meredith is a sure guide to this colossal, sad story' -- R. W. Johnson, Sunday Times

'A towering history . . . It is the sheer readability that makes it one of the decade's most important works on Africa' -- Publishers Weekly

'As a popular introduction to the subject it could hardly be bettered' -- Piers Brendon, Sunday Telegraph

'This book is important . . . [It] is also great narrative . . . A spectacularly clear view of the African political jungle' -- Richard Dowden, Spectator

About the Author:

Martin Meredith is the author of many acclaimed books on Africa including lives of Robert Mugabe and Nelson Mandela and COMING TO TERMS: SOUTH AFRICA'S SEARCH FOR TRUTH. He lives near Oxford.

About this edition

• Publisher: Free Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0743232216
• ISBN 13: 9780743232210
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 608