Empires in the Sun by Lawrence James

The Struggle for the Mastery of Africa

23cm x 15cm (C-Format / TPB)

Condition: Very Good (Has very small/minor signs of wear).

Genres: Nonfiction / Africa / History / Politics

In his remarkable work of narrative history, Lawrence James delves into the intricate process through which Europe exerted its influence over Africa, ultimately subjugating the continent to the emerging modern world. Through a rich tapestry of firsthand accounts and observations, "Empires in the Sun" introduces us to the diverse array of individuals from the noble and philanthropic to the unscrupulous and deranged who left an indelible mark on Africa.

Between the years 1830 and 1945, major European powers such as Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and the United States imposed their languages, laws, cultures, religions, scientific knowledge, and economic systems on Africa. Justifying their actions as a means of liberating the continent from slavery and savagery, they established administrations that they claimed would bring stability and peace to what they viewed as a region lacking in civilization.

However, by 1945, Africa had undergone a profound transformation and was on the brink of taking control of its own destiny, initiating a rapid process of decolonization that would unfold over the next two decades. In the aftermath of the devastation wrought by colonial powers, Africa's new leaders were faced with the choice of pursuing a path of peace and order or responding to aggression with force.

"Empires in the Sun" offers a gripping portrayal of a vast system of exploitation that reshaped the course of global history.