Episode #4: The State of Africa by Martin Meredith

The State of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence by Martin Meredith

The fortunes of Africa have changed dramatically since the independence era began in 1957. As Europe's colonial powers withdrew, dozens of new states were born. Africa was a continent rich in mineral resources and its economic potential was immense. Yet, it soon struggled with corruption, violence and warfare, with few states managing to escape the downward spiral.

So what went wrong? In this riveting and authoritative account, Martin Meredith examines the myriad problems that Africa has faced, focusing upon key personalities, events and themes of the independence era. He brings his compelling analysis into the modern day, exploring Africa's enduring struggles for democracy and the rising influence of China. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the continent's plight and its hopes for a brighter future.

Martin Meredith is a journalist, historian and biographer who has written extensively on Africa. A former foreign correspondent and then a research fellow at St Antony’s College, Oxford, he is the author of The State of Africa (Simon & Schuster, 2005), a best-selling history of the continent since independence, updated in 2011. He has written biographies of Nelson Mandela; Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe; and South African Communist lawyer Bram Fischer.

Buy the book: The State of Africa

Other books mentioned:

Africa Is Not A Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa by Dipo Faloyin

An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence by Zainab Badawi

Listen to Episode #4: The State of Africa by Martin Meredith