Book 2: African History

African HIstory: John Merriman says in his History of Modern Europe (itunesU) that "all histories have their history" and that is certainly the case with African History. This is an excellent short introduction, but certainly not a potted history of Africa. Though some of the key points in African History are covered much of this book is a discussion of how the study of Africa has developed over the last 200 years. All the major periods are covered pre-colonial with its paucity (in most cases) of evidence both written and archeological. The colonial period, which was quite short and has much written evidence though much of it written by the conquerors. And, finally, the tumultuous post-colonial period where culture and, inevitably history, are determined by the powerful.This book reminded me of the necessity of reading history books that are up to date. 

A wonderful book which  also serves as  an introduction to the conflicts within the discipline of history itself.