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  • An African History of Africa

  • From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence
  • By: Zeinab Badawi
  • Narrated by: Zeinab Badawi
  • Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

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An African History of Africa

By: Zeinab Badawi
Narrated by: Zeinab Badawi
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Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone.

For too long, Africa's history has been neglected. Dominated by western narratives of slavery and colonialism, its past has been fragmented, overlooked and denied its rightful place in our global story.

Now, Zeinab Badawi guides us through Africa's spectacular history, from the origins of humanity, through ancient civilisations and medieval empires with powerful queens and kings, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence.

Seeking out occluded histories from across the continent, meeting with countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and local storytellers, and travelling through more than thirty countries, Badawi weaves together a fascinating new account of Africa: an epic, sweeping history of the oldest inhabited continent on the planet, told through the voices of Africans themselves.

©2024 Zeinab Badawi (P)2024 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

'Both a tour d'horizon and a tour de force... It will transform...views of the continent, its peoples and its histories. I cannot recommend it too strongly or praise it too highly.' (Sir David Cannadine)

What listeners say about An African History of Africa

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Deeply researched book

Loved the breadth and depth of the book, both in terms of (i) the period covered (before and post the common era) and (ii) the number of countries analysed. This is just an excellent and definitive book that focuses (thankfully) on praising the elements of African history that Africans should be proud of rather than blaming the current condition of the continent solely on its slavery and colonial past. Well done Zeinab. Very proud.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Educational and Inspiring

As a British African it was refreshing to hear about my ethnic history, and encouraging to optimistically look at my continents future.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

DISSAPOINTING

Was this written for an USA readership? As someone who has lived in Africa most of my life, I was hoping for more from Zeinab. She gives long details and information (rather like all the biblical 'begat's) but seldom gets to the heart of what it means to be African. I was looking forward to an African female perspective, but perhaps Zeinab has been out of Africa too long.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous work, fantastic book, and engaging narration

As an African, I was always aware how little I knew about the history of the continent. After listening to this book, I realised that I knew less that 5% of the continent's history.
This book is a great overview,and an enjoyable read. I highly recommend it for Africans and Non-Africans.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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sorry?ss version of an interesting piece ofhistory

very interesting history of Africa.
but far too much blame and sorry for the author.
Also a hole lot of "the sun was shining from a blue sky, when I walked dow. the .... to meet mr/ms/? so-and-so"
(boring and selfish)

I could not complete it as my bs filter overflowed.

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1 person found this helpful