North Africa (Traveller's History of North Africa) [Paperback]

Barnaby Rogerson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 1998 | Series: Traveller's History of North Africa

For travellers on the ground or students at their desk, this handy paperback will prove invaluable for sorting the Almohads from Almoravides. It provides a concise and readable history of the region's journey from its earliest beginnings right up to the politics and life of the present day. Written by an acknowledged expert of the area, it covers the countries of Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Libya.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Written with the goal of providing modern-day travelers with accessible historical background, this account of Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia succeeds in being both detailed and quite manageable as a quick, on-the-ground read. Rogerson has edited several traditional guidebooks to the region (e.g., Cadogan Guide to Morocco, 1989), and here is further proof of his knowledge of the Maghreb. He clearly presents North Africa's history, from the days of Carthage and the Punic Wars to the days of the Romans and the rise and fall of Christianity, the Arab conquest, the Ottoman Empire, and on to the ancestors of today's rulers. Rogerson describes the area as an island, isolated by three seas and quite apart from Europe and continental Africa. It borders land only to the east, from which have come the area's three cultural transformations--the Neolithic revolution, the Iron Age, and the arrival of Islam. The text overall is an easy-to-read and enjoyable history of a most fascinating area, complemented by handsome maps and illustrations. David Cline

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Publishing Group (May 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156656252X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566563512
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,772,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Way to Whet the Appetite, April 30, 2000

By 

T. C. Ross (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: North Africa (Traveller's History of North Africa) (Paperback)

Over all, I've found the Traveller's History series of books to be a bit hit or miss. All are good at providing a good deal of the history of a nation or region, but some do so in a manner that is too dry or terse to make for enjoyable reading. Not so A Traveller's History of North Africa. Covering the land that makes up modern-day Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria, Barnaby Rogerson does a fantastic job of telling the history of the land and its peoples from the Neolithic era through the Roman Empire and into the 1990s. It is a fascinating tale of survival, conflict, and change that gives a wonderful insight into the historical forces that have shaped the region and its people.

3.0 out of 5 stars A short walk across the long desert of N African history, February 12, 2012

By 

red_gamer (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Traveller's History of North Africa (Paperback)

It only took me twelve years to finish A History of North Africa! I started reading the first edition during a charity hike through the Moroccan Sahara, but found the opening chapters as dry as the sand I was walking through.

A couple of months ago, sorting out my unread books, I thought I'd give it another ago before giving it away. Once I hit the Carthaginians something clicked, and I was away.

The book covers Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria in equal measures, covering a large amount of history in a fairly concise manner. There's a lot to cover - from pagan Carthaginia and the Berber Tribes, through to Christian North Africa, the Arabs and Colonial conquest, finally settling on independence.

It is very much meat and potato history, where the author's personality recedes far into the background. There's little room for quips or analysis or character. Instead, the history is straight forward narrative. Most of the dynasties and notable royalty get a look in, but I'd have enjoyed a few more colourful anecdotes so I could feel the souks, the harems and the Berber warriors of the region. As it stands, I had to give the book a rest after reading two or three chapters in a row.

The author remains neutral throughout until the chapters on colonialism. He gives short thrift to France and other colonial powers, highlighting the long term damage done during the 1800s to Algeria, specifically, but also to the region as a whole.

As an introduction to the region it was a great start. Not sure if it is anymore suitable for traveller's as armchair readers (there's little mention of the sites and cities and monuments a traveller would see on their travels) but the series is a great way to experience history without resorting to ridiculously long academic tomes. Now it needs a third edition so it can cover the tumultuous 2010 revolutions.

3.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but pages fall out., July 31, 2011

By 

Ismore - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Traveller's History of North Africa (Paperback)

I ordered this book a couple of weeks ago, and enjoyed reading the first chapter, but pages began falling out in large chunks, so I returned it. Thanks to Amazon's excellent return policy, I had a new copy in 2 days. However, after reading just a few pages more, pages began falling out again. I will return the second copy and have already ordered an older printing of the same book in hopes that it is bound better.

What I was able to read was interesting and very well written. Hopefully the next copy will hold together long enough for me to finish reading it.

The info for the defective copies:

Publisher: Interlink Publishing Group

Published: June 15, 2000