The Fortunes of Africa: A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavor - Couverture rigide

Meredith, Martin

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 1610394593 ISBN 13 : 9781610394598

Editeur : PublicAffairs, 2014

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur :

Africa has been coveted for its riches ever since the era of the Pharoahs. In past centuries, it was the lure of gold, ivory and slaves that drew fortune-seekers, merchant-adventurers and conquerors from afar. In modern times, the focus of attention is on oil, diamonds and other valuable minerals.
Land was another prize. The Romans relied on their colonies in north Africa for vital grain shipments to feed the population of Rome. Arab invaders followed in their wake, eventually colonising the entire region. In modern times, foreign corporations have acquired huge tracts of land to secure food supplies needed abroad, just as the Romans did.
In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonisation. He examines too the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse of their future.
His cast of characters includes religious leaders, mining magnates, warlords, dictators and many other legendary figures, among them Mansa Musa, ruler of the medieval Mali empire, said to be the richest man the world has ever known. 'I speak of Africa,' Shakespeare wrote, 'and of golden joys'.
This is history on an epic scale.

Présentation de l'éditeur :

A sweeping history the fortune seekers, adventurers, despots, and thieves who have ruthlessly endeavored to extract gold, diamonds, and other treasures from Africa and its people.

Africa has been coveted for its rich natural resources ever since the era of the Pharaohs. In past centuries, it was the lure of gold, ivory, and slaves that drew merchant-adventurers and conquerors from afar. In modern times, the focus of attention is on oil, diamonds, and other rare earth minerals.

In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonization. He examines, too, the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse of their future.

His cast of characters includes religious leaders, mining magnates, warlords, dictators, and many other legendary figures-among them Mansa Musa, ruler of the medieval Mali empire, said to be the richest man the world has ever known.

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: PublicAffairs
• Date d'édition: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1610394593
• ISBN 13: 9781610394598
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 784