Great Kingdoms of Africa

By: John Parker - editor, David Adjaye - foreword

Narrated by: Bill Andrew Quinn

A groundbreaking, sweeping overview of the great kingdoms in African history and their legacies, written by world-leading experts.

This is the first book for nonspecialists to explore the great precolonial kingdoms of Africa that have been marginalized throughout history. Great Kingdoms of Africa aims to decenter European colonialism and slavery as the major themes of African history and instead explore the kingdoms, dynasties, and city-states that have shaped cultures across the African continent.

This groundbreaking book offers an innovative and thought-provoking overview that takes us from ancient Egypt and Nubia to the Zulu Kingdom almost two thousand years later. Each chapter is written by a leading historian, interweaving political and social history and drawing on a rich array of sources, including oral histories and recent archaeological findings.

Great Kingdoms of Africa is a timely and vital book for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of Africa's rich history.

©2023 Thames & Hudson, Foreword copyright 2023 by David Adjaye (P)2024 Tantor

The details

Succinct description of several African Kingdoms. Full of interesting details well read. 1 w 3

Best African History on Audible

This is leaps and bounds the best African history audiobook on Audible. Most African history audiobooks are just a compilation of Wikipedia info. They're okay for basic introductory info, but not much depth if you want to sink your teeth into the subject. This is also by far longest African history audiobook I've read at over 9 hours. Most are 3 hours or less.

This book also goes farther back than the European "scramble for Africa", which a lot of euro-centric authors focus on. Yes, the majority of the African kingdoms discussed in the book are 17th century and beyond, but there are several chapters devoted to ancient African kingdoms, despite the challenges with the lack of written records. Since this book is recent, it incorporates some of the newer research techniques to fill in some of the gaps while still clearly acknowledging the flaws or inconclusive findings with them.

i highly recommend this book for anyone serious about African history.

Needs more depth...

Decent enough book to start with albeit somewhat anemic, with much left to be desired. Author speculates too often with scant evidence.

Does this author know anything?

This book is so vague. Everything it states about subsaharan africa is spoken of as a "we dont know" or "we can never know" then just goes back to northern Africa's sources on southern Africa. This book is the epitome of "no sh!t" man...you're speaking in generalities. I learned nothing about the civilizations of Africa outside of the Islamic ones I was already well versed in. buy this book if you have 10 hours you wish to throw away...or gift it to someone you dont like.