Africa is the birthplace of humankind itself, yet little of its ancient and modern history is widely known. For many, the history of Africa has been dominated by the subjects of slavery, imperialism, and colonialism. This book is a relatively comprehensive history from the beginning of Africa, highlighting key chapters in its story, and told by Africans themselves. The author was born in Sudan and is president of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. She was previously chair of the Royal African Society., recipient of the President's Medal of the British Academy, and an honorary fellow of her alma mater, St. Hilda's College, University of Oxford. She visited more than 30 African countries over seven years in pursuit of a first-hand experience of Africa's history from the perspective of Africans.

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