Africans and Their History

Africans and Their History chronicles in fascinating detail African history from prehistoric times through the end of the 20th century.

Africa has witnessed the birth of many important developments in history. Human evolution, including the use of fire, food production via plant cultivation and animal domestication, as well as the creation of sophisticated tools and hunting weapons from iron took place in Africa. Other historical events such as the slave trade, which played a critical role in Western economic power, the rise of Islam as one of the world's dominant religions, and colonization and struggles for independence occurred on African soil.

Originally publihsed in 1972, this second revised edition provides a concise and authoritative overview of the diverse peoples and societies of Africa and includes events through the end of the 20th century, including the emergence of a free South Africa and its landmark enactment of a constitution that recognizes even more rights than the American constitution.Preface to the Second Revised Edition
Preface to the First Edition

1. A Tradition of Myths and Stereotypes
2. The Evolution of Early African Societies
3. Early Kingdoms, and City-States
4. Africa and the World, 1400-1850
5. The Expansion of Africa
6. Repatriation and the Development of a Pan-Africanist Tradition
7. Politics and State-Building I: The Guinea Coast and Forest Regions
8. Politics and State-Building II: The Sudan
9. Politics and State-Building III: Central and Southern Africa
10. Politics and Trade in East Africa
11. The Scramble and Partition
12. African Diplomacy, Resistance, and Rebellion
13. The European Colonizers: Policies and Practices
14. The Struggle for Independence
15. The Transformation in Southern Africa: South Africa and Namibia
16. The Quest for Unity
17. Africa and Contemporary Issues

Bibliographical Notes
Index

Joseph E. Harris is a professor of history at Howard University. He is the author of several academic books on African history. He makes his home in Silver Spring, Maryland.