Customer Reviews
Excellent, but strengths contribute to it's weaknesses.... - By: S. Golder, 14 Aug 2008 
A fantastic book to serve as an introduction to the complex issue of Africa post World War 2. What makes it such a great book is how straightforward & easy to read it is. However this proves to be it's weakness at times as well, as often it feels like certain issues,in particular economic analysis feels like it is being brushed overin order to make the book easier to read.
Which is a harsh critique, but I cannot pay the book any more of a compliment then stating how much of an eye opener the book was & how it has asked many questions, questions I seek to answer by reading more books about topics coveredin the text.
A Must Read! - By: read4life, 29 Jun 2008 I read this book earlier this year, & it is a must read for all people interestedin African Politicsin the past 50 years. I recomend it especially for the younger generation who want to know about a politicsin a continent that so much as happened on from decolonization to war, famine, greed, hate but also progress.
It covers all the different parts of africa, the challenges that african countries posessed, the leaders that failed & succeded, the power of the armiesin african politics & the subsequent result of all these actions.
It is important to read about all the different countries, the different individuals & political leaders & parties, the ideology of all these differen't leaders & their parties & the impact they still havein africa today.
A very important book that all africans should read!
Extremely well-written recent history that makes you sad and mad - By: Linda Oskam, 15 May 2008 
In only 688 pages Martin Meredith succeedsin capturing the recent history of more or less the whole of (sub-Saharan) Africa, throwingin a few countries above the Sahara for good measure. After a brief introduction, he starts off at independence of most countries, & what you read does not make you happy. With only very few exception new rulers with initially good intentions turn within no-time into greedy, ruthless killers that divide the loot (read "the treasury"and "the natural resources of their countries") among themselves, their close familiy, their tribe & their cronies. When things get too obvious, a military coup follows, after which the new leaders do exactly the same. Andin the meantime the common people suffer, be it from the lawlessness of Somalia, the genocidein Rwanda, the economic ruinsin Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe, or the denial of Mbekiin South Africa that HIV causes AIDS. And these are only a few of the countless examples that make you feel quite depressed. Despite all the foreign aid that is being poured into a continent that has such rich resources (gold, diamonds, oil & a host of minerals), the economic situation of most people has only deteriorated since independence. & this is alsoin stark contrast to for example Southeast Asia that has gone through an economic explosion.
I regularly workin Africain collaborative scientific research projects on infectious diseases & I see abysmal hospital facilities, people (including colleagues) dying from diseases that can easily be cured & hot-shots whose only attitude is "what isin it for me?" (and they are so shameless that they actually ask you that question). But I also see tons of very dedicated people -mainlyin the lower echelons-, trying to make the best of the meagre resources they have available, people who thoroughly know how to enjoy life & are as hospitable as can be. I always tell them that they are too friendly & slightly naivein believing the promises made. Ifin the west we would have a ruler like Mugabe, we would have kicked him out years (and put himin prison for good measure).
In my opinion education is key to solving the problems of Africa: educated people are people who can make their own decisions, are able to critically evaluate their options & ultimately can decide together what is best for their country. And yes, maybein some instances it will be necessary to re-consider borders so that they coincide better with historical delineations between tribes & religions. But it will ask for vision, courage & patience & the question is whether there will be sufficient time available...
The State Of Africa - By: Spider Monkey, 27 Apr 2008 'The State if Africa' is an extremely detailed account of African politicsin the last 50 years. It looks at the whole continentin a roughly chronological order & has some wonderful photo plates to illustrate the various 'dictators' & issues explored. I found some chapters more engaging than others & these provided explanation of key eventsin good detail to provide an in-depth understanding. Other chapters sadly were bogged downin acronyms & detail that only true African scholars would find of interest (hence the 4 stars). Overall, this is a well researched & presented introduction to post independence Africa that sadly leaves you feeling not a great deal has changed & that this is a continent left ravaged by tyranny & corruption. Not a particularly positive book, but an in-depth & well articulated one.
The tragedy that is Africa - By: Hermina, 25 Apr 2008 
There was no shortage of informationin this well researched book but more analysis of the unfolding situation would have been helpful. I'm glad i read it & i would recommend it as an important document establishing the details of the tragedy that is Africa. However, it raises many more questions than it answers.
