The Forgotten Era
Nigeria Before British Rule
Description
'Siollun's books are gripping' - Financial Times
Much is known about what the Europeans did in Nigeria, yet very little is known about the country before its colonisation. In this surprising history, Max Siollun uncovers a society that was not part of a backward 'dark continent', but one rich with lore to rival those of ancient Greece and Rome.
Pre-colonial West Africa had its mesmerising cast of revolutionaries, intellectuals, innovators, and villainous assassins. These include the single family that overthrew three different 1000-year-old kingdoms, the royal court official who engineered the death of four kings, and the little slave boy who became the first black bishop in history, befriending Queen Victoria along the way.
This is a story of a highly educated, democratic, artistic people is a vital read for those who want to discover a forgotten era of West African history.
About this Author
Max Siollun is a historian. He has written four acclaimed books on Nigeria's history, most recently What Britain Did to Nigeria: A Short History of Conquest and Rule, which was shortlisted in BBC History Magazine's 2021 Books of the Year. He has written for many publications including the New York Times, Guardian, the Independent and Foreign Policy.
Reviews
'Siollun is unchallenged as the Chronicler-in-Chief of the Nigerian military'
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