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The Fortunes of Africa
- A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavor
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 26 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Politics & Government
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Publisher's Summary
A sweeping history of the fortune seekers, adventurers, despots, and thieves who have ruthlessly endeavored to extract gold, diamonds, and other treasures from Africa and its people.
Africa has been coveted for its rich natural resources ever since the era of the pharaohs. In past centuries, it was the lure of gold, ivory, and slaves that drew merchant-adventurers and conquerors from afar. In modern times, the focus of attention is on oil, diamonds, and other rare earth minerals.
In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonization. He examines, too, the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse of their future.
His cast of characters includes religious leaders, mining magnates, warlords, dictators, and many other legendary figures - among them Mansa Musa, ruler of the medieval Mali empire, said to be the richest man the world has ever known.
What the critics say
"A gripping tale of insatiable greed-personal and collective." (Booklist, starred review)
"[A] broad-ranging history of Africa from the age of the pharaohs to the present, with a solid emphasis on economics...richly detailed...a useful study." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Mr. Meredith artfully weaves together exploration, trade, and geography in a narrative that is both detailed and arresting....[He] leaves the reader bursting with a wealth of facts." (The Economist)
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What listeners say about The Fortunes of Africa
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Derwyn
- 2020-11-17
Very eye opening.
Man this book is a roller coaster of feelings. Anger, sadness stints of hope. Read/listen with open mind.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- FIDELIS ODOGBO
- 2021-08-19
A must Read for Every True African
It was indeed an enjoyable listening. The narrator was actually the best I have heard since using audible for reading audio books. The story about Africa was well told. I'm from Nigeria and I'm surprised at the research put into this book about Nigeria history and it's glories, greed, ineptitude and poor leadership exhibited by the nationalists and military rulers.
Thank you for taking the time to produce this excellent work of telling the true Africa history. It is exhaustive, indepth, elaborate and incisive. This book should be in the libraries of every African nation. Great work!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Odomite
- 2021-02-03
VAST & WELL RESEARCHED
I kept listening and sometimes I repeated chapters just to make sure I heard right.
As an individual who hails from somewhere within the "boundaries of Nigeria" and who has interacted with individuals from other "distinctive appellations within AFRICA", I am pained by the enlightenment this book has bestowed upon me.
It is quite a book and I hope many will dare to turn its covers.
it tells the truth.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 2020-01-16
Sad when it ended. Truly amazing.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It left me with such a profound sadness at the end, not just that this book was ending, the narrator did an amazing job. Just the history, the hope that came from post colonial rule to where we are now is so utterly depressing. I am very happy to know this all now, do yourself a favor and listen to this, it should be mandatory reading for humanity.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- NatsFan
- 2019-08-15
Worthy of your time
Fast moving , would like more depth on tribalism., my only complaint. such rampant corruption it'll make you cry.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Igor M.
- 2019-10-25
Fascinating, though terrible
This audio book was very difficult to understand. Not because it is confusing, but because I lacked even the basic knowledge of Africa's geography and history. The author cites locations, such as cities, regions and even countries that I simply never heard before, so I had to pause and check it out several times. Get at least one map before starting it.
The content is pretty fascinating. It seems like hearing a story about a fictional world, because of the many many completely new history info I never had before. I can't say I will remember names, dates, faces and places, but at least now I have a sense to what I see in the news. At least... Africa isn't just pictures of hungry children and dictators for me anymore.
#historyspoiler
But it is rough to listen. When the author says that Egypt would not be ruled by an Egyptian until the 20th century, things get soured. And it keeps get worse literally until the last paragraph. Be prepared to feel frustrated, angry, humiliated and useless.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2019-07-26
Full of information, sometimes disorganized
Great book for someone seeking a better understanding of colonialism, African history, early modern history and modern African instability and corruption.
Author often skips randomly from one topic to another though, which can be at times perplexing and unusual.
Overall though, impressive piece of literature spanning a long period. Happy to have had the fortune to purchase and listen to this.
The narrator is excellent.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- prazy
- 2020-01-16
Long, long better as a reference
This is a great work, but it’s so long and covers so much ground that I’d prefer it in book form where you can skip around and use as a reference rather than as a listen experience
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ekim N.
- 2021-09-01
A Hidden Gem for an Amateur History Scholar
I haven't even finished this book yet, but am rating because it is so well written and structured. Leopold was horrible.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- kelechi
- 2020-11-30
Can't hear a sound
loved it but for some reason it stop working. i cant hear anything when i try to listen.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Collage student
- 2020-01-27
You will feel 5000 years old.
This book the narrator is very good and it tells you why we have different world. Why Africa is the way it is why Western country are richer than African countries. At the end you will understand that the author is saying Africa were better the colonial time than now. Which you will not agree.
1 person found this helpful