The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence

I lived in Angola for over a year and was able to travel the continent. Would have been better to have read this book prior to being there. Incredibly useful book. Should be required reading for anyone interested in the continent. Masterfully researched.

The blurb from Publishers Weekly on the back of the book has it right: this is but a digest of Africa's woes - it describes everything and explains nothing. I was hoping for an explanation of why Africa has gone backwards as they rest of the world has progressed - why Africa's leaders have been so exceptionally venal, cruel and megalomaniacal, why its people have submitted to such misrule for so long. But you won't find it here.
As a digest of African post-colonial history the book is a fine one, the writing clear and the organization sensible. It just wasn't the book I was hoping for.

It's over 600 pages in length, but it doesn't feel like it.If you want to know why Africa is the way it is, you need to read this book.

The modern history of Africa is traced from the late stages of colonialism right through to 2005. The reader gets a clear picture of the reasons why the various African dictatorships took hold; why corruption is pandemic; hence why despite it's wonderous natural resources, most of Africa is economically stunted.

Martin Meredith is adept at painting the shattered dreams of this beautiful continent. It really is a sad tale, because in the fifties Africa held such promise. Unfortunately, the governments which took control after the colonial powers withdrew were usually just as bad - and more often worse - than what they replaced. Racism was replaced by tribalism and nepotism. Oppression was replaced by corruption.

Just about every country is covered (though some only in passing). My only minor gripe is the liberal use of French phrases in the text - or rather, they are presented without translation. While the meaning of most is self-evident, it is a little distracting and disruptive to the flow of the book when one has to divine the meaning.

Just a short note, i had this book recommended to me by a backpacker. bought it and found that it really opened my mind and made me interested in the recent history the world.On the book itself very interesting subject matter and well written.

A must for anyone who wants to know more and more about Africa...one of the better books out there...