Historical Dictionary of Pre-Colonial Africa

by Robert O. Collins

Overview

The Heart of Darkness, this is the image that most in the West hold of pre-colonial Africa. Joseph Conrad's description of a continent lacking in civilization, commerce, and Christianity is familiar to many readers. Historians have been working to dispel this notion before since the institution of African independence after World War II.

Collins seeks to familiarize the reader with pre-colonial Africa, the Africa that began with the migrations of the Bantu from their homeland in 500 B.C. and ended with European control in the 19th century, revealing the culture, events, achievement and rulers of Africa from this time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810839786
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/17/2001
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras , #3
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	680
Product dimensions:	5.74(w) x 8.76(h) x 1.68(d)

About the Author

Robert O. Collins is Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at the University of California Santa Barbara and has written on the subject of African history for the past fifty years.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Editor's Foreword, by Jon Woronoff Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Chronology Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 THE DICTIONARY Chapter 6 Appendix: Pre-Colonial African Dynasties Chapter 7 Bibliographies by Region Chapter 8 North Africa Chapter 9 Northeast Africa Chapter 10 Sudan Chapter 11 Ethiopia Chapter 12 Somaliland Chapter 13 East Africa Chapter 14 West Africa Chapter 15 Central Africa Chapter 16 Southern Africa Chapter 17 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Really two sources in one, this is both a dictionary and a lengthy bibliography. Academic collections.

Choice Reviews

The scholarship is as exhaustive as it is impeccable, as informative as it is authoritative, and adheres to high standards of accessibility for both the academician as well as the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the field of history...superbly presented and highly recommended.

Library Bookwatch

A worthwhile reference tool for libraries.

International Journal of African Historical Studies

Really two sources in one, this is both a dictionary and a lengthy bibliography. Academic collections.

Choice

Really two sources in one, this is both a dictionary and a lengthy bibliography. Academic collections.

CHOICE

A worthwhile reference tool for libraries.

International Journal Of African Historical Studies

This dictionary provides information about Africa before European colonial rule. It features details of African culture, history, rulers, migrations, wars, and contact between Africans and Arab, Asian, and European travelers. An introductory essay offers background information on Africa's past, and a chronology outlines the principle events of African history. An appendix traces the rise and fall of various African dynasties. Collins is an emeritus professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews