History

"...presents the most up-to-date and thorough reference on this region of ever-growing importance in world history, politics, and culture. "

With a population of about a billion people, an area that represents about 22 percent of the world+s surface, and an abundance of natural resources, Africa will play a crucial role in 21st century world affairs. Alas, among many outsiders - and Africans as well - very little is known about this vast and diverse continent other than what is read in the headlines. The Historical Dictionaries of Africa, with coverage of more than 50 countries, certainly dig much deeper and provide information on multiple aspects of these countries and this over their long history from the origins to the current period. The books are written by eminent specialists on these countries many of whom are nationals thereof.

Conflict and instability are built into the very fabric of the Middle East and North African (MENA) state and states system; yet both states and states system have displayed remarkable resilience. How can we explain this? This handbook explores the main debates, theoretical approaches and accumulated empirical research by prominent scholars in the field, providing an essential context for scholars pursuing research on the MENA state and states system.

"This book portrays a complex nation with multiple heterogeneous characteristics."

"...chronicles the foreign political and military interventions in Africa from 1956 to 2010, during the periods of decolonisation and the Cold War, as well as during the periods of state collapse and the 'global war on terror'."

"... this group of top Africanist scholars has examined both conventional historical sources (such as European travel accounts, colonial documents, court cases, and missionary records) and less-explored sources of information (such as folklore, oral traditions, songs and proverbs, life histories collected by missionaries and colonial officials, correspondence in Arabic, and consular and admiralty interviews with runaway slaves)."

"...analyses a wide range of archaeological data to explore the development of [West African] societies. "

"The human rights movement in South Africa's transition to a postapartheid democracy has been widely celebrated as a triumph for global human rights. It was a key aspect of the political transition, often referred to as a miracle, which brought majority rule and democracy to South Africa. "

The decolonization of countries in Asia and Africa is one of the momentous events in the twentieth century. But did the shift to independence indeed affect the lives of the people in such a dramatic way as the political events suggest? The authors in this volume look beyond the political interpretations of decolonization and address the issue of social and economic reorientations which were necessitated or caused by the end of colonial rule.