A History of Nigeria / Edition 1

by Toyin Falola, Matthew M. Heaton

Overview

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and the world's eighth largest oil producer, but its success has been undermined in recent decades by ethnic and religious conflict, political instability, rampant official corruption and an ailing economy. Toyin Falola, a leading historian intimately acquainted with the region, and Matthew Heaton, who has worked extensively on African science and culture, combine their expertise to explain the context to Nigeria's recent troubles through an exploration of its pre-colonial and colonial past, and its journey from independence to statehood. By examining key themes such as colonialism, religion, slavery, nationalism and the economy, the authors show how Nigeria's history has been swayed by the vicissitudes of the world around it, and how Nigerians have adapted to meet these challenges. This book offers a unique portrayal of a resilient people living in a country with immense, but unrealized, potential.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521681575
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/24/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	370
Sales rank:	532,983
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Toyin Falola is the Frances Higginbotham Nalle Centennial Professor in History at the University of Texas, Austin. His books include The Power of African Cultures (2003), Economic Reforms and Modernization in Nigeria, 1945–1965 (2004) and A Mouth Sweeter than Salt: An African Memoir (2004).

Matthew M. Heaton is a Patrice Lumumba Fellow at the University of Texas, Austin. He has co-edited multiple volumes on health and illness in Africa with Toyin Falola, including HIV, Illness and African Well-Being and Health Knowledge and Belief Systems in Africa (2007).

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. Early states and societies, 9,000 BCE–1500 CE; 2. Slavery, state and society, c.1500–c. 1800; 3. Political and economic transformations in the nineteenth century; 4. Transition to British colonial rule, 1850–1903; 5. Colonial society to 1929; 6. Nationalist movements and independence, 1929–60; 7. Instability and civil war, 1960–70; 8. Oil, state, and society, 1970–83; 9. Civil society and democratic transition, 1984–2007; 10. Nigeria and Nigerians in world history; Concluding remarks: Corruption, anti-corruption, and the 2007 elections.

Editorial Reviews

Presents a history of Nigeria from its earliest beginnings through 1998, constructed around themes of politics and the economy. All major historical themes are covered, notably precolonial and indigenous state systems and societies, the penetration of Europeans that ended in colonial subjugation, nationalist struggles, and the various administrations since the country attainted independence in 1960. An introduction overviews the country's geography, political institutions, economic structure, and cultural attributes. Includes a chronology, biographical sketches of notable Nigerians, b&w maps, and a bibliographic essay. The author is professor of history at the University of Texas-Austin. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"Dissatisfied with too much emphasis placed by the existing historiography of Nigeria on political and economic developments of the 20th century, the authors... of this new history set out to provide a more balanced picture of the past by paying special attention to social and cultural themes and the longue durée.... They show the complexity, fragility, and contested nature of national identity.... Recommended." - Choice

"[A] condensed but rich chronological account of events, forces, and actors that helped to shape the historical development of the region from about 9000 BC to 2007...[An] important contribution to Nigerian and African history and will be of value to students and scholars in the field."
International Journal of African Historical Studies, Gloria Chuku

From the Publisher