Africa: A Biography of the Continent 1st American ed Edition

by John Reader (Author)

92 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0679409793

ISBN-10: 0679409793

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From the primeval cataclysms that formed the continent to the civil wars and genocide that ravage it today--a work of startling grandeur and scope that provides a remarkable panoramic history of Africa, by a deeply intelligent writer who has spent most of his adult life there.

We all originated in Africa, and no matter what our race, our most ancient relationship is with that continent. Reader tells the story of our earliest ancestors' adaptation to Africa's ferocious obstacles of jungle, river, and desert, and of how its unique array of animals, plants, viruses, and parasites has over millions of years helped and hindered human progress to a degree unknown anywhere else on Earth.

Illustrated with many of the author's own beautiful photographs, which capture the staggering diversity of human experience in every part of the continent--from the inland estuaries of the Niger and the rain forests of the Equator, to the deserts of the north and the high veld of the south--this book weaves together into a richly fluent narrative the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, the changing patterns of indigenous life over the millennia, the complex history of slavery, the devastating impact of European settlers, and the fragile reemergence of independent nations. John Reader has given us an extraordinary biography of an infinitely fascinating continent.

Africa: A Biography of the Continent

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"The ancestors of all humanity evolved in Africa," notes photojournalist John Reader at the beginning of this epic, panoramic overview of African history. From the formation of the continent to the present, Reader's informative narrative tells the story of the earliest dwellers and the natural obstacles of desert, jungle, and animals they faced, expertly entwining the development of humanity with the ecological and geographical evolution of the continent. He demonstrates how the physical makeup of Africa is like nowhere else on earth, both supporting and crippling human progress over time. Reader, who has lived and traveled in Africa for many years, explores the migration of humanity as early as 100,000 years ago out of Africa into Europe and South America, forming the earliest indigenous populations in these areas. At the same time he traces the effects of European settlers, slavery, and tribal warfare to the present day's independent states that have suffered through chronic disease, famine, and brutal conflict. Reader's passion for this continent is evident throughout the text, bringing to life his scrupulous research which explores in fascinating detail, the intricate and complex history of Africa. --Jeremy Storey

From Publishers Weekly

Africa's collision with the Eurasian landmass 30 million years ago; the emergence of upright, bipedal human ancestors four million years ago; the migration of anatomically modern nomads out of Africa a mere 100,000 years ago; the rise of Africa's first literate indigenous civilization, Aksum (ancient Ethiopia) in the first century A.D.?these are signposts in a continent's evolution in Reader's unusual, enthralling survey. A British photojournalist who has spent most of his adult life in Africa, he writes with sweeping historical perspective and an engaging familiarity with the continent and its people. Ranging from the earliest known evidence of life on earth?6.6-billion-year-old fossilized bacteria?to recent upheavals in Rwanda and South Africa, this immensely rewarding synthesis is amplified by the author's deeply lyrical, quietly stunning photographs that evoke Africa's beauty and ancient roots. Reader refutes the notion of the Egyptian Nile region as a fulcrum that conveyed civilization to sub-Saharan Africa; instead, he argues, the relationship was one of pillager and pillaged. Blaming European colonizers' near-genocidal slaughter, exploitation and imposition of artificial nation-states for much of contemporary Africa's malaise, he maintains that the "dark continent" has been woefully misunderstood and misused throughout history. His eye-opening chronicle will change the way many think about Africa. Photos.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product details

Hardcover: 816 pages
Publisher: Knopf; 1st American ed edition (April 14, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0679409793
ISBN-13: 978-0679409793
Product Dimensions: 2 x 7.2 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
Average Customer Review: 92 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #263 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Africa
- #1571 in Books > History > Africa
- #4099 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Anthropology > Cultural

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Top customer reviews

Byjcnon January 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

One of more amazing books I have read. It addresses: Geology, Paleontology, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, War, Agriculture, and many other fields. All with some emphasis on Africa, but all with a relationship to humanity and the World at large. It is now more than 20 years old in volatile continent, but still fascinating.

It shows a significant amount of research and understanding of many areas. One of the themes is that Africa should be of interest to all of mankind. It is where man evolved and human characteristics were first developed. It has had significant interaction with most of Earth's other Continents. It can provide lessons on many aspects of the World and mankind.

My only complaints are mostly functional. It is long (700 pages), small print, and entirely inadequate visual elements (maps, pictures, etc.). I would love to have a kindle version.

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Provides a great overview of factors shaping the African continent

Bydanielon December 9, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a great book. Its exactly what it says it is: a biography of the African continent. Reader does an excellent job writing about a subject that could easily be very dry. He keeps the pages alive and easy to read. The book progresses in a sensible fashion that keeps you going.

I laughed when I read the review calling this book "awe-inspiring" HA! How could a history book this broad possibly be inspiring!!??

I was wrong: This book really is awe-inspiring.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great book. I previously knew very little about the ...

ByW. Johnstonon February 7, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great book. I previously knew very little about the continent, but purchased this book for a class I was taking. Unlike most textbooks, I enjoyed reading this and am keeping it. Reeder has an expansive knowledge of Africa and narrates the history in a winsome way, with plenty of diversions into interesting side topics.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A good place to start!

ByKateon January 16, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is a great summary of the history of Africa beginning with formation of the continent. Well-written, well-researched, and well-cited.

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Great content, dry read

ByB. Smithon November 15, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book deals with the people, cultures, geography, geology, commerce, and climate of Africa. It is a large and ambitious book. It contains a lot of content that I had not learned before. The author's style is dry and factual. It has a textbook-like quality to it. I found it easiest to read one chapter at a time and then go on to reading something else. It isn't something I could curl up with for the evening. But the content is excellent.

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The Story of Africa

ByJ. QUINNon March 4, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a fascinating, detailed and perceptive history of Africa, a massive topic covered in such a way as the reader is not only informed, but also made to feel part of the whole process of evolution and development. The themes ar personal, national, political and social, and, considering the violent and unhappy aspects of much of the past two centuries, extremely even handed. There is so much to criticise today about Africa, cruelty, corruption, exploitation, that it is important to understand how today's Africa reached the state it is now in. Equally, while being critical of the West's part in causing many of today's problems, it is also critical to examine this in the context in which the events and actions of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries occurred.
This is an excellent history book, textbook and general reader, and never either boring or over contentious without good reasaon.

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ByKPandersonon August 20, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great, but long read.

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Africa - a guide to the beloved

ByPaul2on April 28, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

An intriguing, stimulating book that leaves any over of Africa wishing there was another 1,000 pages.

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Most recent customer reviews

very good . as the price. the speed is so amazing send it to my grandmother, This one is one of the best you will never regret from purchasing it.Read more

Published 3 months ago by Teresa Mary

A fascinating read and a must for Westerners whose education completely neglects Africa.

Published 3 months ago by drewnis

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer

I'll get back to you later.

I really cannot write a fair review of this book since I have read only the first chapter. What I have read is interesting and informative.Read more

Published 4 months ago by Hobart McShane

Published 1 year ago by La Yhadira

Will keep history buffs entertained for hours, with some scalltered flaws.

On the whole, one of my favorite reads. Of course, even in a volume of this length, the author cannot go into great detail in everything that has related to Africa during its...Read more

Published 1 year ago by W. Walker

Published 1 year ago by Donna Ani

English United States

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