This is a good book and an important book. As the authors write, it is unashamedly “popular” history, but history should be popular. Nigeria is an important country, on demographics alone, but in culture and indeed history.
The authors elegantly balance two external cultural forces, Islam and missionary-led Christianity, that have profoundly influenced contemporary Nigeria, taking as their starting point the early nineteenth century. Their focus is very much on personalities, Madame Tinubu, Flora Shaw, James Labulo Davies, and of course Dan Fodio, but also there is a depth of use of sources, from the Spectator to Ibn Haldun, that is a pleasure. There is a balance and nuanced approach, that reflects a maturity in understanding of context. Hugh Trevor Roper once wrote that that precolonial “black” Africa had no history, equally certain schools of Pan African thought view precolonial Africa as a prelapsarian paradise. The book tells it straight, the brutality of a number of the regional empires, the sad adoption of a heady cocktail of scientific racism and scramblism at the very end of the 19th century (the British Foreign Office and Treasury fought valiant rear guard actions against colonialism, but were ultimately stymied by Lugard, Gouldie et all), one can only wish that the relationships that men like Venn and Ajayi Crowther enjoyed had been permitted to continue, before as Crowther tactfully highlighted, a later generation of “anthropological gentlemen” poisoned, although perhaps only for a generation, the nature of these relationships.
One of the real pleasures are the anecdotes, recounting the first Buhari-Atiku contest in 1837, the commercial rivalries of the UAC and CFAO, Lugard entertaining Emir Muhammadu Dikko in Surrey (not far from the current annual Access Bank polo revelry). Those who have enjoyed speech day Nigerian hospitality at English boarding schools, will interested to learn that the first Nigerian girl attended Cheltenham in the 1890s and Joseph Banks was that rare bread, an Harrovian and an Etonian.
As hopefully a second edition will be on its way, a few thoughts. Maps – the reader is provided with one photograph of a map, but one, two, indeed many actual maps would help those, whose geography of West Africa is either rusty or lacking. A slight tightening of the editing (chronological leaps and the repeated habit of introducing and then loosing sight of characters, reminiscent of perhaps of a stimulating conversation of two thought leaders holding forth at the Ikoyi Club). Over time, an even broader historical perspective is required – Toby Green’s A Fistful of Shells and Gomez's African Dominion are to be recommended.
A previous author on this topic, William Allen, who wrote (and was second in command) “A Narrative of the Expedition to the River Niger in 1841”, concluded his work by saying on returning to England “we found an almost universal impression... that we had failed in our task” – this is manifestly not the case with these authors.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
Frequently bought together
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
Alexander
An enjoyable and compelling introduction to recent Nigerian history
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2021C. S. D. Robertson
Full of nuggets
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2022membersyb
Excellent storytelling of Nigeria's formation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2022