Above you will see price and availability details for State of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence by Martin Meredith from the leading UK book stores.
To allow you to quickly compare prices, the stores are arranged in order of delivered price, cheapest first. Click on a store name to buy this book or to view further details.
Books Related to The State of Africa Martin Meredith - ISBN: 0743232224
An Excellent Primer - Rated
I purchased this book with a mind toward an upcoming trip to South Africa. The impending trip had made me realise how little I knew of the continent, outside of the odd headline. Meredith's book is a masterful overview, dense but never dull as it moves effortlessly through the decades, charting the course of countries through the political turbulence of the past 50 years.
While I'm mindful of the brevity in its dealings with some events, and indeed with some entire countries (hardly surprising given the size of its subject), I can't recommend the book highly enough as a primer for the political landscape of modern Africa. Meredith writes in an accessible style, creating a flowing series of narratives which naturally jump about the continent.
In short, while "entertaining" is perhaps the wrong term, the book is certainly a gripping, fascinating study of a continent too often swept under the rug.
Staggeringly good - Rated
Okay. After finishing The State of Africa, I instantly seem to have a greater knowledge of African affairs than just about anyone I know. Maybe it's the people I know. But reading this book - and it is most definitely readable, despite the page numbers - has given me an infinitely greater understanding about the history and current political situation in Africa. It is quite an eye opener. If you have any curiosity or interest in finding out about the continent of Africa then I don't know a better place to start reading. Just about every country is covered - exactly how much do you know about the Central African Republic? - in detail, but it never loses it's grip on the reader's interest. Quite some achievement.
State of Africa, Martin Meredith - Rated
Very interesting book ( I am still reading it). Delves into the colonial and post-colonial era in Africa. A must read..
Tribal rules - Rated
Very accessible overview of a complex, disturbing era in human history, especially illustrating the importance of the tribe in Africa's social, economic and political affairs. Colonial borders drawn by western leaders in the 19th century played a key role in establishing a pattern of conflict for these nations post-independence. The new nation states were dysfunctional partly because leaders didn't see the "nation" as their prime allegiance so much as their tribe (and in some cases just their family and friends). Much of the book is a sampling of the excesses of different leaders in different countries at different times: harrowing.
Quality read - Rated
This book covers a lot of ground so at the end of each chapter its a struggle to remember all the individuals and political movements names. Nonetheless it also gives a splendid overview of all the main protaganists (some of whom are fascinating if somewhat evil characters) and the overriding socio-economic factors and background that is unique to pre and post colonial Africa.
