The Crippled Giant: Nigeria since Independence [Paperback]

Eghosa E. Osaghae (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0253211972 | ISBN-13: 978-0253211972 | Publication Date: October 22, 1998

"Crippled Giant is an excellent summary of Nigerian political history.... The work is notable for even-handed analysis of both history and theory. The result is an introduction of the highest quality to the study of Nigerian politics." —African Studies Review

"Osaghae, an academic with a refreshingly neutral and understated approach to the maddening follies of his government, has produced a highly readable overview of Nigeria's politics, economy, and foreign relations. Rich in detail, his account is also a useful tour of earlier thematic treatments of the subject." —Foreign Affairs

"... well-written, coherent narrative and thoughtful, balanced analysis of Nigeria's political history from 1960 to 1996." —A. H. M. Kirk-Greene, St. Antony's College, Oxford

Eghosa Osaghae's study leads him to the conclusion that Nigeria's problems are not of recent making but can be traced to structural impediments from colonial times.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eghosa E. Osaghae taught politics at Ibadan University in Nigeria and is currently Professor and Head of Political Studies at the University of Transkei, South Africa. He is the author of Adjustment and Ethnicity in Nigeria and editor of Democratic Transition in Africa and Between State and Civil Society in Africa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (October 22, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253211972
• ISBN-13: 978-0253211972
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #507,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > History > Africa > Nigeria

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Detailed Analysis of Post-Independence Nigeria, January 9, 2009

By 

Charlie Oyibo "lord_ingallsworth" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crippled Giant: Nigeria since Independence (Paperback)

Eghosa Osaghae recounts and analyzes the social, economic, and political spheres of post-independence Nigeria in 'Crippled Giant'. Osaghae's work is well-researched, his narrative well-reasoned. Anyone who wishes to understand Nigeria's current situation will do well to fully understand the country's contextual background, and Osaghae's book provides just that background. The book covers the period from independence through Abacha's regime, from the perspective of each regime's internal (economic and political) and foreign policy. Readers interested in analyses of the post-Abacha transition to civil rule and the subsequent civilian dispensation will need to look elsewhere. Overall, 'Crippled Giant' is a must-read for all Nigerians, as well as for others interested in learning about Nigeria's travail.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, September 19, 2008

By 

Stephen Roblin (towson, md United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Crippled Giant: Nigeria since Independence (Paperback)

Any scholar of Nigeria or anyone interested in post-independence history of Nigeria should have this on their bookshelf. It's detailed, succinct, well-organized and well-researched. I refer to it all the time.