The fortunes of Africa : a 5000-year history of wealth, greed, and endeavor Cover Image

Book

The fortunes of Africa : a 5000-year history of wealth, greed, and endeavor / Martin Meredith.

Summary:

Africa has been coveted for its riches ever since the era of the Pharaohs. 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. The author 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.

Record details

ISBN: 9781610394598 (hardcover)
Physical Description: xxii, 745 p., 16 unnumbered p. of plates : ill. (some col.), maps ; 25 cm.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: New York : PublicAffairs, 2014.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 676-718) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

List of maps -- Preface -- Introduction -- part I. Land of the Pharaohs -- Venture into the interior -- A clash of empires -- Death on the Nile -- Roman interlude -- part II. Saints and schisms -- The Arab conquest -- Highways of the desert -- Zanj -- part III. A chain of crosses -- In the land of Prester John -- The middle passage -- Southern frontiers -- part IV. Mamluks and Ottomans -- The black guard -- The sword of truth -- A matter of faith -- part V.The gates of Africa -- The pasha -- Pieds noir -- Bibles, ploughs and bullets -- part VI. Masters and servants -- The people of the heavens -- Republics on the Highveld -- part VII. The tunes of Zanzibar -- Unlocking the Congo -- The pearl of Africa -- A game of thrones -- part VIII. The Khedive -- Equatoria -- Delegate of the people -- The expected one -- part IX. Diamond fever -- The fellowship of Afrikaners -- The washing of spears -- A chosen people -- The most powerful company in the world -- part X. The magnificent cake -- Spheres of interest -- The eagle and the lion -- Carving up the Niger -- By right of conquest -- part XI. New flower -- Omdurman -- A desert fraternity -- part XII. Bula Matari -- The rubber regime -- part XIII. A tale of two towns -- The road to Ophir -- Marching to Pretoria -- The extermination order -- part XIV. Interregnum -- A veiled protectorate -- Elect of God -- The goal of mastery -- The turn of the tide -- part XV. Before the deluge -- Revolution on the Nile -- The nationalist urge -- Gone with the wind -- 'An honourable exit' -- The Congo bet -- In the name of Apartheid -- part XVI. The first dance of freedom -- Coups and dictators -- Lost decades -- Liberation wars -- In search of democracy -- Soldiers of God -- Platinum life -- Chapter notes -- Picture permissions -- Select bibliography -- Index.