Michael Crowder – författare

Originally published in 1959, this book charts the journey made by the author and a Creole journalist from Sierra Leone across West Africa at a time when a political, economic and cultural revolution was taking place. It was not so much the exotic tribal Africa as the new Africa of the politicians, the aspects characteristic of the period of transition that fascinated Crowder. He was struck by the differences produced by years of British and French rule. He talked with governors and the governed wherever he went. Part travelogue, part academic study, this is a fascinating portrait of West Africa on the cusp of monumental change in the second half of the 20th Century.

Originally published in 1959, this book charts the journey made by the author and a Creole journalist from Sierra Leone across West Africa at a time when a political, economic and cultural revolution was taking place. It was not so much the exotic tribal Africa as the new Africa of the politicians, the aspects characteristic of the period of transition that fascinated Crowder. He was struck by the differences produced by years of British and French rule. He talked with governors and the governed wherever he went. Part travelogue, part academic study, this is a fascinating portrait of West Africa on the cusp of monumental change in the second half of the 20th Century.

Originally published in 1971, this book is a study by 9 historians of West Africa, three of whom are themselves African, of the military response to the colonial occupation of West Africa. Apart from the fact that the extent and effectiveness of African resistance to 19th Century European invasion of Africa has been underestimated by historians, those studies of the African campaigns that have been made have been primarily concerned with the military strategy and problems of European invaders. Very little attention has been paid to the way African military commanders reorientated their military strategies and deployed their armies against the better-armed European invaders.

Originally published in 1971, this book is a study by 9 historians of West Africa, three of whom are themselves African, of the military response to the colonial occupation of West Africa. Apart from the fact that the extent and effectiveness of African resistance to 19th Century European invasion of Africa has been underestimated by historians, those studies of the African campaigns that have been made have been primarily concerned with the military strategy and problems of European invaders. Very little attention has been paid to the way African military commanders reorientated their military strategies and deployed their armies against the better-armed European invaders.

Originally published as a revised edition in 1967, this book covers an aspect of Senegalese history of great importance not only for the student of French Colonial policy but also for those interested in the development of nationalism in French-speaking Africa. Senegal was the only French colony in Africa where any sustained attempt was made to implement the much-discussed policy of assimilation. In a concise and authoritative study, the author assesses the effects of this unique experiment in colonial rule and examines the reasons for its failure and repudiation by both France and Senegal, and the marks it left on the latter.

Originally published as a revised edition in 1967, this book covers an aspect of Senegalese history of great importance not only for the student of French Colonial policy but also for those interested in the development of nationalism in French-speaking Africa. Senegal was the only French colony in Africa where any sustained attempt was made to implement the much-discussed policy of assimilation. In a concise and authoritative study, the author assesses the effects of this unique experiment in colonial rule and examines the reasons for its failure and repudiation by both France and Senegal, and the marks it left on the latter.

Originally published in 1968, this book became the standard work on the colonial period in the vast and varied areas of the coast and hinterland of West Africa. It is a comprehensive survey of the domination of West Africa by the British and the French, which challenges the accepted view of the colonialists that their rule was generally beneficial. Penetrating descriptions of the colonial economic system are given, and the quality of colonial administration is analysed, as well as the impact of two World Wars.

Originally published in 1968, this book became the standard work on the colonial period in the vast and varied areas of the coast and hinterland of West Africa. It is a comprehensive survey of the domination of West Africa by the British and the French, which challenges the accepted view of the colonialists that their rule was generally beneficial. Penetrating descriptions of the colonial economic system are given, and the quality of colonial administration is analysed, as well as the impact of two World Wars.