African Empires

Bloomsbury presents China's African Empire, written and read by Paul Kenyon. 'A must read' Peter Frankopan From the bestselling author of Dictatorland, this is the long and turbulent history of China’s growing influence over African states. People are increasingly fascinated by – and...

Bloomsbury presents Paradise by Abdulrazak Gurnah, read by Ashley Zhangazha. By the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature A BBC RADIO 4 Book at Bedtime SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE _______________________ 'A poetic and vividly conjured book about Africa and the brooding power of the...

Bloomsbury presents By the Sea by Abdulrazak Gurnah, read by Connie MGadzah and Denver Isaac. By the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 'One scarcely dares breathe while reading it for fear of breaking the enchantment' The Times ‘Gurnah is a master...

Bloomsbury presents Pilgrims Way by Abdulrazak Gurnah, read by Ashley Zhangazha. By the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature ‘Demands to be read and reread, for its humour, generosity of spirit and clear-sighted vision’ Evening Standard ‘Gurnah zooms in on individual acts of...

'BRILLIANTLY ARRANGED AND RICH WITH FRESH INSIGHTS, UNCOMMON WEALTH REMINDS US HOW THE FORGOTTEN STORIES OF EMPIRE AND DECOLONISATION CONTINUE TO IMPACT OUR DAILY LIVES IN BRITAIN - AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD - UP TO TODAY' AKALA Britain didn't just put the empire back the way it had found it. In...

Experience the epic ancient history of the Kushite pharaohs who marched from the Nile Valley to conquer mighty Egypt. Far from existing merely as a shadow of their northern neighbors, these sophisticated African empires built thriving trade routes and established fiercely independent cultural...

Uncover the rise and tragic looting of a precolonial African empire whose immense power was literally cast in bronze. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive historical journey transports you to the ancient rainforests of southern Nigeria. Experience the epic story of the Edo people, from...

Uncover the awe-inspiring rise and fall of ancient Africa's forgotten empire that conquered pharaonic Egypt itself. This epic historical journey transports you along the Nile River to witness the dramatic clashes and brilliant triumphs of Nubian kings. Whether you are deep diving into antiquity...

Unearth the epic medieval African history of a forgotten empire that commanded global trade and limitless wealth. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive historical deep dive transports you to the sun-baked western Sahel and the winding Niger River. Witness the rise of a civilization that...

Pick up almost any book on early and medieval world history and empire, and where do you find West Africa? On the periphery. This pioneering book tells a different story. Interweaving political and social history and drawing on a rich array of sources, Michael Gomez unveils a new vision of how categories of ethnicity, race, gender, and caste emerged in Africa and in global history. 

Uncover the millennium-long survival of a forgotten African empire that dominated the Sahel through trade and diplomacy. Journey to the shores of Lake Chad, where brilliant rulers and resilient societies forged a powerful centralized state against shifting climates and fierce regional rivalries...

Uncover how a medieval African superpower dominated the global gold trade and shaped the destiny of the western Sahel. Perfect for a daily commute or a focused afternoon of learning, this immersive historical deep dive transports listeners straight to the bustling commercial crossroads of early...

Uncover the awe-inspiring rise of medieval West Africa, where exiled kings forged boundless power from gold and salt. Perfect for your morning commute or a historical deep dive, this epic narrative transports you to the sun-baked savannas of the Sahel. Immerse yourself in a captivating era of...

Step into an epic ancient civilization of Africa that commanded global trade networks and stood as an equal to Rome. Perfect for your daily commute, this immersive historical journey transports you to the bustling Red Sea ports and rugged highlands of antiquity. Satisfy your intellectual...

Experience the epic rise and fall of West Africa's greatest superpower in this captivating exploration of world history. Whether you are deeply focused on a daily commute or seeking to expand your cultural knowledge, this immersive narrative transports you to the bustling shores of the Niger...

Brought to you by Peguin. This book is not just written to enlighten. It is written with the optimism that it may contribute to a willingness to dismantle unsustainable 500-year-old hierarchies. After five long centuries, the roots of colonialism still run deep. This is a powerful new reckoning...

Dive into the epic military history of a West African kingdom that fiercely defied British colonial expansion. Trace the rise of Kumasi from a fragmented forest realm into a centralized state fueled by gold wealth and unyielding diplomatic prowess. Perfect for history buffs looking to transform...

Experience the epic rise and devastating fall of West Africa's greatest historical empire in this immersive narrative. Perfect for an educational commute, this sweeping historical account transports you to the bustling trans-Saharan trade routes of the medieval Sahel. Discover how a modest...

Immerse yourself in the intricate story of Africa and discover Africa's true place in world history. Spanning more than 200,000 years, from the emergence of the first humans to the rise of megacities, Africa explores the history and cultures of the world's second-largest continent in vivid...

Discover the epic economic history of mighty empires and global trade networks that forged immense wealth. Perfect for an educational morning commute, this thought-provoking narrative shifts the focus from conquest to the brilliant merchants, artisans, and rulers who mastered extreme...