Paperback. 'Incredibly necessary, magnificently done, Siollun charts the characters and events that shaped the lives of those who inhabited Nigeria's territories centuries before colonisation' - Remi Adekoya, author of It's Not About Whiteness, It's About Wealth 'Without a doubt, Max Siollun is the best Nigeria-focused historian of our times' - Matthew T. Page, former U.S. State Department Nigeria expert 'Max Siollun accomplishes what few dare to attempt - a revival of a time when the region now known as Nigeria was alive with vibrant kingdoms, city-states, and complex social dynamics long before European colonisers imposed their narratives' - Gimba Kakanda, writer and researcher 'There is no more eloquent and informed guide than Max Siollun' - Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland Much is known about what Europeans did in Africa, yet very little is known about Africa's history before its colonisation. In this surprising exploration, Max Siollun uncovers societies that were not part of a backwards 'Dark Continent', but which instead had rich lore to rival the ancient Greeks and Romans. The beautifully complex history of how Nigerians lived before colonisation Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780745352046

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Forgotten Era (Paperback)
Publisher: Pluto Press, London
Publication Date: 2026
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0745352049
ISBN 13: 9780745352046
Binding: Paperback
Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

A bold, revelatory history of Nigeria before the British arrived - written by one of the most trusted voices in African historical scholarship.

We know what the British did to Nigeria. But what do we know about Nigeria before the British came?

'Siollun's books are gripping' - Financial Times

‘An essential book you’ll want to re-read many times – there is no more eloquent and informed guide than Max Siollun’ - Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland

'This is the indispensable book for anyone interested in the pre-colonial history of what now constitutes Nigeria. Incredibly necessary, magnificently done…’- Remi Adekoya, author of It's Not About Whiteness, It's About Wealth

In this groundbreaking work, acclaimed British-Nigerian historian Max Siollun peels back the layers of colonial myth to unveil a Nigeria rich in complexity, drama, and achievement long before the British arrived to colonise it.

Far from being part of a "dark continent," pre-colonial Nigeria had bustling cities, democratic institutions, intellectual hubs, powerful empires, and unforgettable characters. Offering vivid storytelling, The Forgotten Era:

• Reframes Nigerian history on its own terms - not through a European lens
• Explores democratic councils, sophisticated legal systems, and the complex governance of kingdoms
• Is a vital read for young Nigerians and African descendants worldwide seeking a deeper connection to their heritage beyond colonisation
• Makes a perfect Companion to Empireland and Black and British: If you’ve read David Olusoga or Sathnam Sanghera, this is the next book for you

Rediscover the legacy. Reclaim the pride.
The Forgotten Era isn’t just a history book - it’s a homecoming.

Max Siollun is a historian and author. He has written four acclaimed books on Nigeria’s history, including What Britain Did to Nigeria: A Short History of Conquest and Rule, which was shortlisted in BBC History Magazine’s 2021 Books of the Year. He has written for the New York Times, Guardian, Independent and Foreign Policy.

About the Author

Max Siollun is a historian. He has written four acclaimed books on Nigeria's history, most recently What Britain Did to Nigeria: A Short History of Conquest and Rule, which was shortlisted in BBC History Magazine's 2021 Books of the Year. He has written for many publications including the New York Times, Guardian, the Independent and Foreign Policy.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

APOLLO ONLINE CORP.
605 Geddes Street, Wilmington, DE, 19805, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We guarantee the condition of every book as it�s described on the Abebooks web sites. If you�ve changed
your mind about a book that you�ve ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us
and we�ll respond within 2 business days.
Books ship from California and Michigan.

Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, Illinois, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Shipping Terms

Orders usually ship within 2 business days. All books within the US ship free of charge. Delivery is 4-14 business days anywhere in the United States.

Books ship from California and Michigan.

If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	6 to 16 business days	6 to 14 business days
First item	� 0.00	� 0.00

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.