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Lost Cities of Africa

Anisfield-Wolf Book Award

Lost Cities of Africa

Basil Risbridger Davidson

Readers see the book as a reconstruction of ancient African urban civilization that combines archaeology with historical research. It is praised as a rebuttal to colonial myths, while some note that its idea of civilization still reflects its era.

ancient African historyanti-colonial critiquearchaeology

Work Information

A pioneering book that reframes African history as accumulation rather than absence.

Basil Davidson's The Lost Cities of Africa traces the kingdoms and urban civilizations of sub-Saharan Africa through archaeology and historical writing. It challenges colonial assumptions and foregrounds the depth and variety of African history.

Review Summaries

  • Its wide view of ancient African civilizations is often praised. At the same time, readers point out that the argument still carries some older assumptions, so the book is read as both pioneering and dated.

Book Information

Publisher
Little, Brown Paperbacks
Published
1959-01-01
Pages
366 pages
Language
英語
Size
13.97 x 2.49 x 21.59 cm
ISBN-13
9780316174312
ISBN-10
0316174319
Price
4720 JPY
Category
洋書/History/Africa/South Africa

Combining archeological evidence and scholarly research, Davidson traces the exciting development of the rich kingdoms of the lost cities of Africa, fifteen hundred years before European ships first came to African shores.

Reviews

  • Must read

    Although the author tries to play it safe in my opinion he doesn't sacrifice what is truth. Very good read and the seller sent a very decent hardcover. If only this true history was taught in schools. The lies perpetuated by the fantasy of white supremacy must be overturned and this book published in the 50s helps give people knowledge of true history that's been hidden from the masses.

  • Excellent Book!

    If you're looking for a book to help you know how wonderful the continent of Africa was in pre-colonial times, this is a must read. Helps to dispel some of the negative stereotypes people have about the continent, that came as a result of Europeans colonizing the continent and basically messing it up.

  • An excellent resource for African history

    This is one of the best books I've read on African history. Basil Davidson covers many different regions of Sub-Saharan Africa in a manner that's easy to read and very humble. This is a highly recommended book for anyone wanting to learn more about African history.

  • Amazing Book

    So filled with things you didn't know about Africa. A must own.

  • Such an interesting book. Learning about some of the ...

    Such an interesting book. Learning about some of the formative principles of humankind and major civilization really struck a chord with me when I had to read this in one night for a paper in 2011.

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