Darfur: A Short History of a Long War (African Arguments) 2nd Edition

“Disentangling myth from reality in Darfur is so difficult that the credentials of those who judge events there are particularly important. Those of both authors of this ... work are excellent” ―A masterpiece.

“That is the book Darfur: fast: moving, insightful, elaborate and intriguing; ... So graphic the stories, it is as good as watching a movie on Darfur; you see what you read” ―For anyone who wants to understand the politics of Sudan, the history of the suffering peoples and the possible solutions, this is the right book.

“A very clear-sighted account ... the book I would give first to anyone wanting to become acquainted with the crisis in Darfur.” ―Praise for the First Edition, African Affairs

“The book is an impressive source of detailed information about a conflict that has been grossly over-simplified by most western reporters and advocacy groups.” ―Alan J. Kuperman, Lyndon B. Johnson, School of Public Affairs University of Texas

“Alex de Waal and Julie Flint have written the definitive history of the Darfur conflict. Very detailed and thoroughly documented from first hand sources, the book will quickly become a classic and will correct some of the outside misperceptions of who did what to whom and why. They have written a balanced account of a very disturbing story, made more confused by government and rebel propaganda, by letting participants and eyewitness observers tell their stories.” ―Andrew Natsios, Former Administrator of USAID and US Special Envoy to Sudan

“This is among the best works available on the current Darfur crisis. For a blow by blow account of developments, there is none better.” ―Mahmood Mamdani, University of Columbia

“This brilliant book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the complex history of Darfur and how the very name became synonymous with suffering.” ―Mia Farrow

“The best introduction is Darfur: A Short History of a Long War by Julie Flint and Alex de Waal...their accounts are as readable as they are tragic” ―Praise for the First Edition, Nicholas D. Kristof in 'The New York Review of Books'

Alex de Waal is Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation and a research professor at Tufts University. During 2009-11 he served as senior advisor to the African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and Program Director at the Social Science Research Council. His academic research has focused on issues of famine, conflict and human rights in Africa including. He was awarded an OBE in the UK New Year's Honors List of 2009, was on the Prospect/Foreign Policy list of 100 public intellectuals in 2008, and the Atlantic Monthly list of 27 'brave thinkers' in 2009.

Alcinda Honwana is visiting professor of anthropology and international development at the Open University (UK). She was chair in international development at the Open University and taught anthropology at the University Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo, University of Cape Town and the New School in New York. She was also programme director at the Social Science Research Council in New York. Honwana has written extensively on the links between political conflict and culture and on the impact of violent conflict on children and youth, conducting research in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Colombia and Sri Lanka. Her latest work has been on youth transitions and social change in Africa, focusing on Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia. Alcinda Honwana's latest publications include: The Time of Youth: Work, social change, and politics in Africa, 2012; Child Soldiers in Africa, 2006; and Makers and Breakers: Children and youth in postcolonial Africa, 2005 (co-edited). She was awarded the prestigious Prince Claus Chair in Development and Equity in the Netherlands in 2008.

After studying history at London University, Richard Dowden taught as a volunteer in Uganda in 1971-2. On his return to Britain he worked for a peace organisation in Northern Ireland and then became a journalist, becoming editor of the Catholic Herald in 1976 and joining The Times foreign desk in 1980 travelling extensively in Africa. He became Africa Editor at the Independent at its foundation in 1986 and in 1995 he was invited to join The Economist as Africa Editor. He left The Economist to work as a freelance journalist and writer and in 2003 he became Director of the Royal African Society. He has made three full length documentaries on Africa for Channel 4 and the BBC and also several shorter films and appears frequently as a commentator on African affairs on the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, Sky News and other media. His book: Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles was published by Portobello Books in September 2008. He is married with two daughters and lives in London.

Chair of the Publications Committee, International African Institute