An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence
by Zeinab Badawi
)
Shop All Audiobooks
*When you open this audiobook on Libro.fm, be sure to select Aveson as your bookstore so that your purchase supports local literacy programs and tree‑planting.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Already a major international bestseller, Zeinab Badawi's sweeping and much-needed survey of African history traces the continent's extraordinary legacy from prehistory to the present from the African perspective.
"Equal parts gripping and galvanizing. . . . Researched across more than 30 countries, it brings the dazzling civilizations of pre-colonial Africa vividly to life. A book that feels both long-overdue--and wholly worth the wait." --British Vogue
Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone.
For too long, Africa's history has been dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism, or simply ignored. Now, Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight.
In this fascinating book, Badawi guides us through Africa's spectacular history--from the very origins of our species, through ancient civilizations and medieval empires with remarkable queens and kings, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence. Visiting more than thirty African countries to interview countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers, she unearths buried histories from across the continent and gives Africa its rightful place in our global story.
The result is a gripping new account of Africa: an epic, sweeping history of the oldest inhabited continent on the planet, told through the voices of Africans themselves.
Share
Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780063335417
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Zeinab Badawi
- Publisher
- Mariner Books
- Published Date
- January 14, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 544
- Physical Info
- 1.58 in H x 9.33 in L x 6.39 in W (1.39 lb)

This book was a down a dirty book about the history of the African continent. I do recommend it. It does seem very scripted from the BBC series it was based off of.
Though not African-American myself, I’m always interested in the History of Ancient Civilizations, and how they met their demise, regardless of their geographical location.I’m still reading it, but can tell how deeply the Author feels about the Ancient History of the African Continent.She strives to use Archeological Discoveries, and gives a short history of this or that find.So far, the emphasis has been on skeleton finds, from the long-long past, proving the provenance of all of Humanity came from this African Continent.At this time, I still have no opinion as to whether I’d recommend this book, or not, as I’m still just in the 1st. Chapter.
a different perspective on African history
Excellent. Although I have yet to read it at this time, the author has been providing top notch/ factual information through her documentaries, various outlets. In addition, a person who travels actually living experiences which she references showing discipline, energy and not hard on the eyes, at all!!
This is a comprehensive history, written for serious students and scholars. It explains the strengths, needs, and stunning achievements of the tribes, kingdoms, and cultural groups over the span of Homo Sapiens' presence on the African continent. It also includes the histories of relationships among Africa's many cultural, ethnic, and political groups and other Countries over Africa's long history. Most enlightening is the history of colonialism, various slavery systems, the many fights for freedom, and the transgenerational trauma left to be healed now and through many generations to come. Those who have the intellectual curiosity but not the scholarly aptitude might prepare for "An African History of Africa" by reading some shorter histories of specific regions or countries first.
)