A History of Modern Africa: 1800 to the Present

by Richard J. Reid

Updated and revised to emphasise long-term perspectives on current issues facing the continent, the new 2nd Edition of "A History of Modern Africa" recounts the full breadth of Africa's political, economic, and social history over the past two centuries.Adopts a long-term approach to current issues, stressing the importance of nineteenth-century and deeper indigenous dynamics in explaining Africa's later twentieth-century challengesPlaces a greater focus on African agency, especially during the colonial encounterIncludes more in-depth coverage of non-Anglophone AfricaOffers expanded coverage of the post-colonial era to take account of recent developments, including the conflict in Darfur and the political unrest of 2011 in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya

Genres: History, Africa, Nonfiction, School

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Historian of modern Africa, with a focus on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Reviews

[Lieke Van Eekelen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I found most of Reid's information very interesting and I have learned a lot about African Modern History, I do have some critiques. Although I understand his arguments, I do not necessarily agree with him. Reid downplays the violent impact that colonialism has had on the African continent by arguing that it is "an extension of Africa’s violent – and dynamic – nineteenth century”.

While for certain regions this might be the case, it not necessarily is so for every region. Making such a generalized statement is in my opinion wrong. For example, important violent aspects of colonization are not considered in his book, such as the Ovaherero and Nama genocide by Germany in German West Africa (Namibia) in 1904 – 1908 and the many atrocities that happened in that period, such as ethnic experiments that in concentration camps (Luderitz concentration camp: Shark Island or “Death Island”). For example, prisoners were forced to boil heads of other prisoners. Some scholars argue that some of these experiments were used to prove racial superiority to other ‘races’. Fischer (Nazi scientists) was one of these scientists working in Namibia, and used his findings to prove that mixed racing is wrong, and that mixed marriage should be prohibited. His recommendation was followed and in 1912 mixed marriages were prohibited in all German colonies. His research in Namibia actually was a precursor to his experiments on the Jews. “The Purity of Races” and Nuremberg Laws.

Race is often overlooked in many disciplines, also within history and the same counts for Reid's book. I think it’s important to include these violent aspects of colonization and the role race has played in this. As in the case of Namibia, the violence that occured was definitely not 'an extension of Africa's violent 19th century', but rather brought deliberality by German. Europe did bring violence in other cruel ways. Reid, instead, only gives 3 à 4 sentences to this important history that often is overlooked.

[Anton Himmelstrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good general overview of modern African history. Reid's presentation is well-structured and easy-to-follow, dividing the period into minor over-lapping sections in which he can elaborate on the various themes affecting regions – and on the more general commercial, military and social changes impacting the whole continent.

Personally, I find the author's style a little dry and unengaging, floating high above the rapidly changing landscape. An event is seldom explored in detail, but rather repeatedly referred to in the context of broader developments. It lacks somewhat in feeling, but then again, this is a book that attempts to fit 200 years of history into 360 pages and considering that is succeeds in this difficult endeavor, I can hardly complain.

For someone who is interested in an introduction to pre-colonial conditions, the new imperialism of the late 19th century and the post-colonial era, this is an excellent read.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read from the discard pile at the library. General - school, type history. Historical eras- farming, political systems and so forth. Good background for me who knows so little, but still... a bit dry!

[Rochelle]

the course ended and I ran out of time to finish it

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a solid textbook. I wish it had more maps.

[AskHistorians]

This book covers the period from around 1800 to present dealing with the immediate situation before colonialism right through to the post colonial state. An excellent introduction to African history that is probably aimed at students with further reading suggested after each chapter to support the analysis. Plenty of maps and visual aids to help readers get a visualization of the context.

[Toso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info, but an obvious bias that doesnt serve his credibility.

[Edoardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dispersive since 1945

[Myrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

For school.