Description: Africa's three distinct regions make it a land of enormous diversity. In this new volume, the author examines the history of this fascinating continent from the origins of one of the world's oldest civilizations to the present-day challenges of race relations, political instability, and economic development. Part 1 delves into the forces that have shaped this continent, such as the influence of Islam, the contributions and consequences of European rule, and the roles of the Bantu and other African peoples in laying the foundation for Africa's present-day politics. Part 2 describes how individual countries achieved independence from European colonial rule. It also reviews the recent political, social, and economic development of each country, including the remarkable events leading to the end of apartheid. In Part 3, Bever ends his exploration of this turbulent continent on a hopeful note, with a discussion of what has worked for Africa and what the future may hold for its many nations.

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