A Short History of Africa and the Rest of the World: Volume 1

About the Author Peter Robertson's lifelong interest in history began at Oxford, where he studied Arabic and Persian, a choice inspired by his early childhood in the Middle East. He became an oil company executive, initially in the Gulf, and spent much of his career in West Africa. His interactions with African friends and colleagues drew him increasingly into their own debates over how African nations were meeting the challenges of modernisation and integration into the global order. This experience led to him retiring early from the oil business to devote himself to the study of African history – and to writing this book. About the Book This book traces Africa's history from prehistoric times to the era of independence, exploring the continent's unique trajectory in relation to the wider world. The author challenges conventional narratives, highlighting sub-Saharan Africa's historical isolation and its impact on cultural development. The analysis covers the growth of violence in the 19th century, influenced by better nutrition, population increases, and the spread of firearms, which disrupted the traditional peaceful expansion of African populations into unoccupied space. The book argues that European influence in Africa has often been overstated, as only in the final decade of the 19th century did black Africans begin to share the stage in their historical drama. Regarding the colonial era (1900-1960), Peter Robertson emphasizes intellectual and socio-economic changes rather than offering summary judgments. This period marked a fundamental turning point, ending sub-Saharan Africa's long isolation from Eurasian developments. Today, Africa faces challenges on the road to global integration, and this book examines the historical roots of these difficulties. Drawing on first-hand African accounts and various Arab and European travellers' reports spanning ten centuries, this synthesis of scholarship and narrative invites readers to reassess Eurocentric assumptions and engage with Africa's vibrant history.