African Civilization Revisited: From Antiquity to Modern Times

Placing African history as vital to world history, Basil Davidson creates a much needed revision of the history of the mother continent. Beginning with the African civilization of Egypt and Nubia, Davidson explores all periods of African civilization from antiquity to modern times. Though at times he adds his personal perspective, he relies primarily with presenting the reader with documentations written centuries ago, by Africans, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Imperialist Europeans. Not so great for someone unfamiliar with African history, but a great add for those of us that are. Essential for a complete library of World history.

Davidson is famous for his series of documentaries that have aired on public television that chronicle the development of Africa, African wildlife, and even modern Africa. This work is no less exceptional. In this book, Davidson puts together primary and secondary sources relative to Early West Africa, Early East Africa, Antiquity, The Meeting of West Africa to Europe, as well as materials relative to and from the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth centuries. Davidson's editorial comments are rather insightful, whether helping to frame an issue in perspective or to introduce a totally new contributor. The combination of Davidson's respect for Africa and the wealth of material found in this anthology of sorts makes this book a must for the Afrophile or for the casual reader interested in the history of Africa and its people.

The book begins with a clear and erudite essay on the follies of eurocentrism and other roadblocks into the study of African History. It then follows with a short explanation of the sources for african history (Roman, Arabic, African ect). And then comes the great part. Page after page of first hand accounts of african cultures and civilization. Descriptions of an ancient world from those who actually were there. The stories of warriors, scholars, merchents and emporors. Even if this was fiction it would still be great! From Ancient nubia and ethiopia, right up to modern day africa. This book is a must have, must read, must buy. But this book you will not regret it! Buy Now!