Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia

by Paul B. Henze

Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world. As the Aksumite Empire, it became a world power, its Emperor Ezana coverting to Christianity in 330 AD. Alone in sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopians developed coinage and writing systems.

Genres: History, Ethiopia, Africa, Eastern Africa, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Floppy]

mostly good for the first half but by the second half the author's former job as a CIA official begins to show, especially during the chapters on the Derg years where he takes a very interventionist point of view (had to lol when he said one of the key factors that led to the downfall of the Derg was "the hard work of three american officials" and israeli intervention)

[Jared Donis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, the research is admirable, the overall organization of the book is designed to keep the historical flow. However, Henze sometimes runs ahead of himself in some sections. Highly informative nevertheless.

[Jesper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit of an eyebrow raise when the author namedropped Zbigniew Brzezinski in the preface and a google search revealed that he used to work for the CIA, but even so this was a well-researched and well-written book, and the author clearly had a lot of personal experience of (and affection for) Ethiopia.

[Art Wangchu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has Ethiopian history no precise dates? All the figures and stories feel like flowing in the emptiness. I do not know where they are.

Quit at 30%! I cannot endure this writing any longer.