Sierra Leone at the End of the Twentieth Century: History, Politics, and Society [Paperback]

Earl Conteh-Morgan (Author), Mac Dixon-Fyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1999 | ISBN-10: 0820441724 | ISBN-13: 978-0820441726

Sierra Leone's current predicament can best be understood within a continuum spanning its precolonial to its more contemporary history. This study traces the contradictions of the historical legacy and the excesses of the independent nation-state to unravel the sequences of dependency that culminated almost inevitably in political instability, unprecedented socio-economic decline, and civil war. The authors draw on a rich texture of historical and political insights reflecting established knowledge, while also plumbing contemporary orature to present a truly holistic perspective of this soft state. Students, scholars, or general readers interested in the dilemmas of developing states will find this essential reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Conteh-Morgan and Dixon-Fyle have crafted a competent study that at once presents a comprehensive overview of this West African state while situating their analysis within the framework of major theoretical insights extant on politics in the developing world. The result is both a complete and concise study of Sierra Leone's political history from precolonial times up to and including the political convulsions of the late 1990s. What these scholars, themselves Sierra Leonean nationals, have succeeded in doing so admirably is interpreting for both the attentive and general public the outcome of 'politico-economic mismanagement and confusion' in Sierra Leone." -- D. Elwood Dunn, Professor of Political Science, University of the South, Sewanee, TN

"Conteh-Morgan and Dixon-Fyle offer a well-organized and superbly written account of Sierra Leone--a country that embodies many typical developmental characteristics of other West African states. Contemporary events are clearly presented as the product of the country's evolving history. The analysis contributes academically mature insight in two currently contradictory perceptions of Africa: Are its states collapsing? Or, is the continent about to enter its alleged 'renaissance'?

This timely and thorough account of a country not well known to nonspecialists will be an excellent addition to all African resource collections. Even a cursory examination of the book will reveal its relevant analytic structure, as well as the personal acquaintance of the writers with their subject." -- Karl P. Magyar, Professor, U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College

"This work is absolutely necessary for an understanding of politics and society in Sierra Leone. It is comprehensive, informative, and theoretically solid. Indeed, it is a much-needed addition to the growing literature on policy, state-society relations, and democratization, or the absence of it, in Africa and Sierra Leone in particular." -- Moses K. Tesi, Editor, The Journal of African Policy Studies

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820441724
• ISBN-13: 978-0820441726
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,886,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > History > Africa > Sierra Leone

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sierra Leone at the End of the Twentieth Century, July 15, 2001

By A Customer

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This review is from: Sierra Leone at the End of the Twentieth Century: History, Politics, and Society (Paperback)

Balancing personal insight with extensive research, Conteh-Morgan and Dixon-Fyle have managed an in-depth, yet concise and at times self-critical, analysis of modern-day Sierra Leone. I recommend this book to anyone who either needs, or wants, a better understanding of Sierra Leone.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars so so, February 8, 2009

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LK "L." (france) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sierra Leone at the End of the Twentieth Century: History, Politics, and Society (Paperback)

I bought this book before moving to sierra leone, hoping to know more about the country and its history. I started the book and found it really interesting, however it is pretty 'heavy' to read and so I never finished it...

4 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Siera Leone at the twentieth century: History, politics and, June 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sierra Leone at the End of the Twentieth Century: History, Politics, and Society (Paperback)

Fisrt of all, I congratulate the author(s) of this book. For the fact that he wrote about Sierra Leone at the end of the twentieth century. A war turn country which is politically detorated by politician. Historically it is colonized by Britain in 1961 and many of thier decendants where former slaves from the US, Cuba, Spain, UK etc. The culture and society of Siera Leone is okay. It has some little connection with western society in some certain sense unlike the Poro for men, Bondo for women etc. That why I first of all congratulated the author(s) for thier contribution although i not yet read the content of the book. it's a book that is intresting to the world. Because it came to a time (1999) when all international communities uncluding NGOs attensions are focused on that country for it brutal war especially at the end of the 20th century. So that is my preview of the this book. If any questions you let me know through my mail. Thanks.