A History of Ethiopia

"With remarkable precision and a sensible balance, Marcus has described the multiple and often contradictory and intersecting forces that have molded Ethiopia's rugged history. In his ambitious attempt to give a comprehensive account, he has paid considerable attention to broader social, economic, and cultural developments.... Marcus has given us a concise yet complete overview of Ethiopia's history." - Gebru Tareke, American Historical Review "That a country with Ethiopia's historical record should have been so neglected is astonishing, and Harold Marcus is to be congratulated on taking up the challenge...this is a valuable contribution to Ethiopian historiography, which provides a useful and much-needed overview of current knowledge." - Christopher Clapham, International Journal of African Historical Studies

Harold G. Marcus (1936-2003) was Professor of History and African Studies at Michigan State University. His books include Haile Sellassie I: The Formative Years, 1892--1936 (California, 1986), Ethiopia, Great Britain, and the United States, 1941--1974: The Politics of Empire (California, 1983) and The Life and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia 1844--1916 (1975).

List of Photographs Preface Preface to the 1994 Edition 1. Beginnings, to 1270 2. The Golden Age of the Solomonic Dynasty, to 1500 3. The Decline of the Solomonic Dynasty, to 1796 4. Political and Economic Transformations, to 1855 5. Imperial Resurrection, to 1877 6. Imperial Consolidation, to 1889 7. The Defeat of European Imperialism, to 1897 8. Menilek's State, to 1916 9. Ras Tafari, to 1930 10. Haile Sellassie, to 1936 11. Haile Sellassie, to 1955 12. Haile Sellassie, to 1973 13. The Revolution, to 1977 14. The Failure of the Revolution, to 1991 15. The New Rulers, to 1995 16. Peace and War, to 2000 Epilogue Maps Glossary Select Bibliography Index