In 1990 Namibia gained its independence after a decades-long struggle against South African rule - and, before that, against German colonialism. This book, the first new scholarly general history of Namibia in two decades, provides a fresh synthesis of these events, and of the much longer pre-colonial period. A History of Namibia opens with a chapter by John Kinahan covering the evidence of human activity in Namibia from the earliest times to the nineteenth century, and for the first time making a synthesis of current archaeological research widely available to non-specialists. In subsequent chapters, Marion Wallace weaves together the most up-to-date academic research (in English and German) on Namibian history, from the mid-eighteenth century to the present. She explores histories of migration, production and power in the pre-colonial period, the changes triggered by European expansion, and the dynamics of the period of formal colonialism. The coverage of German rule includes a full chapter on the genocide of 1904-8. Here, Wallace outlines the history and historiography of the wars fought in central and southern Namibia, and the subsequent mass imprisonment of defeated Africans in concentration camps. The final two chapters analyse the period of African nationalism, apartheid and war between 1946 and 1990. The book's conclusion looks briefly at the development of Namibia in the two decades since independence. A History of Namibia provides an invaluable introduction and reference source to the past of a country that is often neglected, despite its significance in the history of the region and, indeed, for that of European colonialism and international relations. It makes accessible the latest research on the country, illuminates current controversies, puts forward new insights, and suggests future directions for research. The book's extensive bibliography adds to its usefulness for scholar and general reader alike.
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Perceptive, multi-layered and judicious, Marion Wallace s comprehensive History of Namibia is a veritable tour de force. Based on a deep knowledge of the existing historiography but also of the most recent research in Namibia itself, over two-thirds of the volume deals with the history of the region and its peoples since 1870, and ends with a deft summary of the period since independence. Yet Wallace and the archaeologist, John Kinahan, who contributes the first chapter are also to be congratulated on their decision to root this account in the far deeper history of south-west Africa. The volume will surely prove indispensable to anyone with an interest in Namibian, southern African, and, indeed, African history more widely. --Shula Marks, Emeritus Professor and Hon. Fellow, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
An indispensable introduction to the history of Namibia for all interested in the country and her people. --Africa Review of Books
Rarely, if ever, do academic histories reflect ... the whole gamut from precolonial to postcolonial pasts. Marion Wallace has remedied this problem in a magisterial new book, A History of Namibia. ... Her goal here is synthesis and perspective and she succeeds admirably on both fronts. ... At the same time that Namibians across ethnicities are well served by, and well represented in, one of the first survey texts of Namibian history, anyone interested in the development of social systems and African politics writ large will benefit from reading, and rereading, this book. --Mail and Guardian, South Africa
An indispensable introduction to the history of Namibia for all interested in the country and her people. --Africa Review of Books
Rarely, if ever, do academic histories reflect ... the whole gamut from precolonial to postcolonial pasts. Marion Wallace has remedied this problem in a magisterial new book, A History of Namibia. ... Her goal here is synthesis and perspective and she succeeds admirably on both fronts. ... At the same time that Namibians across ethnicities are well served by, and well represented in, one of the first survey texts of Namibian history, anyone interested in the development of social systems and African politics writ large will benefit from reading, and rereading, this book. --Mail and Guardian, South Africa
About the Author
Marion Wallace is African curator at the British Library and a historian of Namibia. John Kinahan is an archaeologist based in Namibia.
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The author has done a great job of pulling together a huge range of literature on Namibia. She has also made huge progress in filling in a lot of gaps and trying to rise above the bias of many of the other historians who have tried to write from one or the other perspective. The first chapter by John Kinahan is a fascinating look at how people lived and the sophistication of society and adaptation before the Europeans came, working largely from archaelogical and other evidence, it helps to give background to some of the fascinating glimpses of precolonial Namibia that you get when visiting Twyfelfontein and other sites. Marion Wallace then works her way through the rest of the history, and covers a huge range in a short text. There are many pages of fascinating notes, so this book serves more as a guide to what else to read on any particular period, although she also does a good job of pulling together many views to give a fairly balanced picture. I particularly liked her efforts to ensure women and other aspects of social history don't get left out. I learnt a lot about Namibia from this book and its an excellent read.
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Amazing thorough perspective a chapter of history almost unknown to the rest of the world. One of the few b
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