Africans and Their History: Second Revised Edition

Harris' _Africans and Their History_ is a bit uneven. The opening chapter on the myths and stereotypes of Africa and Africans is outstanding, as Harris lays out the pejorative way in which Europeans have seen and understood Africans since the days of antiquity - stereotypes and generalizations that have influenced the way the continent has been seen up to and including today: a continent whose inhabitants have been acted on by history rather than being actors of history, people who are passive players in world civilization. Naming these untruths, pointing to the antecedents of these incorrect perceptions and showing how these have shaped the way much of the world sees Africa perhaps set my expectations a bit high for the rest of the book. I wish he had revisited this thread more often (and more forcefully) throughout his narrative - it is an important point, and one which bears keeping in mind in reading any history of Africa.Harris' discussion of Egypt, Meroe and Aksum were very good, if a bit brief. My disappointment began with his examination of the Islamic west African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhai. The scope of their political and economic influence in west Africa deserved, in my opinion, more detail than was given here. The economic and especially cultural relationship between the Islamic empires of the Maghrib and those of the Niger river certainly warrants more than 40 pages, especially considering the strong and lasting influence Islam has in this part of Africa. Similarly, I wish more detail was given in the development and growth of independence and nationalist groups in Africa in the early 20th century. The importance and role these groups (and their participants) had in shaping post-colonial Africa is tremendous; that closer attention was not given here was a disappointment.My final criticism is the organization of the book. In addressing the independence movements and pan-Africanism, Harris jumps around both geographcially and in time, first talking about the origins of pan-Africanism (from the creation of Sierra Leone and Liberia through Marcus Garvey), only to return to it chapters later when discussing Nkhrumah and Kenyatta as part of the establishment of independent African states and the creation of the OAS (Organization of African States) in 1963. A similar jump in time and place takes place in his disucssion of the post-war decolonization of Africa. It would have been easier to follow, I think, if he had talked about one movement from beginning to end as an individual chapter, and the other as an entirely separate chapter.However, it must be kept in mind that Africa is as large as it is diverse - the continent itself is as large and Europe, the United States and China combined, with an equally large number of different cultures, languages and climactic zones. Added to it, the history of Africa is a long as the history of humankind itself, making the task more complex still. Having pointed this out, Harris does a remarkable job of touching on all of the important political and economic relationships Africa formed, in illustrating the how vital and important Africa and Africans are to world history, and especially in showing how Africans resisted being acted upon (by Muslims, Christians and Europeans) and were eventually successful in becoming self-determinitve states. For a summative text, this is very good, in spite of my wishes for more detail on areas of the continent's history that are near and dear to my heart.

This was one of the most scholarly, brilliant and informative books I have ever read to date. The details provided were meticulous and thorough to the finest point. A definite must have for any student of African-World History. The author does not attempt to whitewash or fancy up the facts for palatability, however, provides concise and unadulterated truth. If one desires to comprehend the broader picture of African-World History this is the book to have, which will enable the reader to cite its contents with fluidity in any discussion or debate.

It is the most information on the history of Africa and is interesting. I use it for my history class.

Terrific book for those who have little knowledge of African history or empires. A very detailed read, this book is definitely for those who desire to become scholars of Africa.

Great introduction to general African history with enough detail to serve as starting point for specific interests

Thank you

Excellent Text.

It's good