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Problems in the History of Modern Africa (Topics in World History. Problems in African History, 3)
In the newest version of his "Problems" books, Professor Collins presents the most important issues in the study of modern Africa
276 pages, Paperback
First published February 5, 2012
About the author
Robert O. Collins
46 books17 followersA specialist in the history of East Africa and Sudan, Robert O. Collins was Professor of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he taught from 1965 to 1994.
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December 22, 2013
Collins' book is an anthology of articles built around several themes which are critical for understanding modern Africa: decolonization, environment, health care, democracy, development, and civil wars. Each of these is a loaded topic, bound to generate strong reactions.
He draws from a variety of sources both within Africa and from the wider international scholarly community. This gives the reader a unique perspective on how African as well as international scholarship is addressing these issues. The book helps address opinions about Africa which hold that it is a savage, uncivilized, chaotic place whose brief time of order came with colonialism and then sank again into chaos after the colonies became independent.
A common feature throughout is a willingness to address the implications and impacts of the colonial period. While the essays do not descend into a sweeping condemnation of colonialism per se, they are willing to grapple with a continental experience which has left a decidedly mixed legacy.
He draws from a variety of sources both within Africa and from the wider international scholarly community. This gives the reader a unique perspective on how African as well as international scholarship is addressing these issues. The book helps address opinions about Africa which hold that it is a savage, uncivilized, chaotic place whose brief time of order came with colonialism and then sank again into chaos after the colonies became independent.
A common feature throughout is a willingness to address the implications and impacts of the colonial period. While the essays do not descend into a sweeping condemnation of colonialism per se, they are willing to grapple with a continental experience which has left a decidedly mixed legacy.
Displaying 1 of 1 review