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Scramble for Africa... (Paperback)

by Thomas Pakenham (Author)

4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 738 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (Dec 1992)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0380719991
ISBN-13: 978-0380719990
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.4 x 3.4 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 813,758 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

The Scramble for Africa astonished everyone. In 1880 most of the continent was ruled by Africans, and barely explored. By 1902, five European Powers (and one extraordinary individual) had grabbed almost the whole continent, giving themselves 30 new colonies and protectorates and 10 million square miles of new territory, and 110 million bewildered new subjects. Thomas Pakenham's story of the conquest of Africa is recognised as one of the finest narrative histories of the last few decades. We are given arresting vignettes of the main players. Lord Derby, protesting at 'this absurd scramble'; the Belgian Emperor King Leopold II grabbing and ruthlessly exploiting the rubber deposits in the Congo; and Prince Otto von Bismarck casually munching on prawns at the Congress of Berlin while determining the fate of millions. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

“…magnificent, swashbuckling, blood-bolstered epic…” Observer “vast, scholarly and delightful” Spectator. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling read for all students of African history., 8 Nov 2001

By	mdavidroberts@hotmail.com (Abuja, Nigeria) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scramble for Africa (Paperback)

A thoroughly researched, and whatsmore, an interestingly written and comprehensive history of Africa during the colonial period. As a European I was fascinated, and sometimes repelled by the political intrigues of Europeans in African affairs. Once started it is difficult to put down and helps to put this period of world history in a truer perspective.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A work of genius - buy it now!, 26 Aug 2001

By	Esmeralda Hugo "londonbibliophile" (London UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scramble for Africa (Paperback)

If you are hesitating in buying this book - don't. BUY IT NOW. It is a true labour of love written (if I recall correctly)after 10 years of research. It is extremely well-written and one of the best historical accounts I have ever read. Despite covering a relatively long period of time and an enormous geographical area (not just Africa but the politics of Europe) the author manages to bring it all together elegantly and accessibly. Time spent reading this book is a real pleasure.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening read, 20 Dec 2006

By	Peter Jones (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scramble for Africa (Paperback)

This is a beautifully written work that provides a fascinating insight into the continent's history, underdevelopment and civil strife. Devoid of sentimentality and full of objectivity, the author conveys the deep message, which explains not only the resilience of the continent but also the ravages that it has been subjected to throughout its turbulent history. Behind the tragedies of the continent are the heavy hands of the ex-colonial masters and the exploitative drives of some business concerns working in partnership with African dictators, psychopaths and administrative kleptomaniacs that have power and are excluding the people in the running of the land. With more piteous prospects than any other continent, Africa mirrors the failures of humanity as well as its hopes and reams.
Other titles that treat this African malaise are DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE , AFRICA UNCHAINED, THE SCHACKLED CONTINENT, TRIPLE AGENT DOUBLE CROSS. Together these titles exposed the personal and collective problems of the people and the personal and collective efforts made, and the means and ways to take the Africa forward despite all the constrains.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing.
Just finished this book and I have to say it was a great read. It runs to about 650 pages of text and covers a period of about 30 years in detail so there are alot of people and... Read more

Published 5 months ago by C. Wood

5.0 out of 5 stars In to Africa
Perhaps The Scramble for Africa is not what most people would want to read about, but having read a decent amount about post colonial Africa, I thought I'd find out just how the... Read more

Published 7 months ago by R. Davies

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
The Scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham is a very good book which deals with the remarkable last two decades in the nineteenth century when Africa was carved up by the nations... Read more

Published 13 months ago by HBH

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book of a harrowing journey of a continent.
This is a great book, and like other readers, I think it gave account of every region fairly evenly. Read more

Published 17 months ago by Jon-Scot Burns

5.0 out of 5 stars Best history book ever!
Pakenham gives you the detail without the drudgery; the tale without the tediousness; takes you right into the heart of history but manages to make the ride effortless. Read more

Published 18 months ago by D. E. Chukwumerije

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, i finished it at 5am!
This book covers every issue you could possibly think of in colonial africa in just enough detail to give you a pan-african diorama without getting bogged down in any individual... Read more

Published on 9 April 2007 by M. Notman

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
This is an excellently written story of 19th century colonial expansion. Anyone following current affairs today would do well to read this book. Read more

Published on 19 Nov 2006 by S. Kenward

4.0 out of 5 stars Very readable bit of African/European history
Thomas Pakenham's book is an exhaustive account of the exploration and colonisation of Africa during the 19th century. Read more

Published on 21 Feb 2005 by dwaas76

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Despite the size of the book and the small print, this book is for anyone who is interested in the subject or just enjoys reading really well written work. Read more

Published on 22 Sep 2004 by riasorenna

4.0 out of 5 stars You didn't know you needed to know this...but you'll be pleased you do
An intelligently written book with lots of colourful detail about swashbuckling explorers & downtrodden administraters. Read more

Published on 25 Aug 2004 by Tastydogs

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