African Civilization Revisited: From Antiquity to Modern Times [Paperback]

Basil Davidson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1990

This Book Is Concerned With the story of Africa from antiquity to modern times, as told in the chronicles and records of chiefs and kings, travellers and merchant-adventures, poets and pirates and priests, soldiers and persons of learning.

Framed and introduced as a continuous narrative based on what was thought and written at the time, African Civilization Revisited is designed to illustrate the drama and variety, challenge and achievement of humankind in Africa's long history.

It is offered as a contribution to the fuller understanding of Africa today, as well as a guide to the Africa of yesterday and of long ago.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book, by one of the premier historians of Africa, is a slightly revised and expanded edition of his The African Past ( LJ 4/15/64). As before, it consists of snippets of historical source materials from western, eastern, and southern Africa, emphasizing pre-19th century times. The study of black African history was relatively new when this book was originally published, so it was useful as a demonstration that Africa indeed had a history. Now, over 25 years later, one wonders if the point needs to be made yet again. Still, its greatest use may be to point out to students the variety of sources available for the study of African history. This is recommended for collections not having the original edition.
- Paul H. Thomas, Hoover Inst. Lib., Stanford, Cal.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Basil Davidson is the dean of today's historians of Africa. Among his many books are the Fortunate Isles: A Study in African Transformation, African History, The African genius, The African Awakening, and Black Star: The Life and Times of Kwame Nkrumah.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 459 pages
• Publisher: Africa World Pr; 2 edition (November 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865431248
• ISBN-13: 978-0865431249
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #715,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Ever Written on African History!, December 1, 2002

By 

Steven Thomas - See all my reviews

This review is from: African Civilization Revisited: From Antiquity to Modern Times (Paperback)

The book begins with a clear and erudite essay on the follies of eurocentrism and other roadblocks into the study of African History. It then follows with a short explanation of the sources for african history (Roman, Arabic, African ect). And then comes the great part. Page after page of first hand accounts of african cultures and civilization. Descriptions of an ancient world from those who actually were there. The stories of warriors, scholars, merchents and emporors. Even if this was fiction it would still be great! From Ancient nubia and ethiopia, right up to modern day africa. This book is a must have, must read, must buy. But this book you will not regret it! Buy Now!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the understanding of Africa's History, May 3, 2004

By 

The Djeli (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: African Civilization Revisited: From Antiquity to Modern Times (Paperback)

Placing African history as vital to world history, Basil Davidson creates a much needed revision of the history of the mother continent. Beginning with the African civilization of Egypt and Nubia, Davidson explores all periods of African civilization from antiquity to modern times. Though at times he adds his personal perspective, he relies primarily with presenting the reader with documentations written centuries ago, by Africans, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Imperialist Europeans. Not so great for someone unfamiliar with African history, but a great add for those of us that are. Essential for a complete library of World history.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Any Reader, Afrophile or Casual, February 14, 2004

By 

John Jefferson (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: African Civilization Revisited: From Antiquity to Modern Times (Paperback)

Davidson is famous for his series of documentaries that have aired on public television that chronicle the development of Africa, African wildlife, and even modern Africa. This work is no less exceptional. In this book, Davidson puts together primary and secondary sources relative to Early West Africa, Early East Africa, Antiquity, The Meeting of West Africa to Europe, as well as materials relative to and from the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth centuries. Davidson's editorial comments are rather insightful, whether helping to frame an issue in perspective or to introduce a totally new contributor. The combination of Davidson's respect for Africa and the wealth of material found in this anthology of sorts makes this book a must for the Afrophile or for the casual reader interested in the history of Africa and its people.