


Authoritative, provocative and consistently fascinating, this is the seminal book on one of the most important issues facing the West today.In The State of Africa Martin Meredith sets out to write a comprehensive history of the continent since the start of independence, which seems like a daunting task for a single book. How did we get here? What, if anything, is to be done? Fully revised and updated and weaving together the key stories and characters of the last sixty years into a stunningly compelling and coherent narrative, Martin Meredith has produced the definitive history of how European ideas of how to organise 10,000 different ethnic groups has led to what Tony Blair described as the 'scar on the conscience of the world'. Constant war, improper use of natural resources and misappropriation of revenues and aid monies contribute to an impression of a continent beyond hope. Ever since the process of de-colonialisation began in the mid-1950s, and arguably before, the continent has appeared to be stuck in a process of irreversible decline. Elegantly written as well as unerringly accurate' Financial Times 'Meredith has given a spectacularly clear view of the African political jungle' Spectator 'You cannot even begin to understand contemporary African politics if you have not read this fascinating book' Bob Geldof Africa is forever on our TV screens, but the bad-news stories (famine, genocide, corruption) massively outweigh the good (South Africa). 'As a narrative of Africa's political trajectory since independence, this book is hard to beat. England Rugby World Cup Winner Steve Thompson, Beth Mead and Gary Neville all take home gongs at The 21st Sports Book Awards.Jhalak Prizes 2023 Winners Announced celebrating British or British-resident writers of colour.60 spectacular LGBTQIA+ books to read this Pride Month and every month.25 Recommended Reads about Race, Racism, and Demarginalizing History - Necessary Non-fiction You Should Read for Life-changing Insights and Impact.80+ Must-read Novels by Black Writers - Black Lit Matters.Discover the Drama of the Courtroom in These 20 Fabulous Novels Celebrating National Crime Reading Month.Guest Editor, Summer 2023 - Vaseem Khan.June 2023 Book Club Recommendation: When Things Are Alive They Hum by Hannah Bent.13 Books to Support and Celebrate Caregivers for National Carers Week.The Joffe Books Prize Is Open Once Again and on the Look out for New Talent.60 + Novels Highlighting Empathy and Compassion - for National Empathy Day 8 June.Celebrate Read Caribbean Month and the achievements of the Windrush generation by reading 20+ brilliant books for National Windrush Day, 22nd June.12 Fabulous novels for Autistic Pride Day - Read, See a new Perspective, Enjoy and Celebrate Differences!.
