British Africa

Nothing offends liberals and leftists more than Western imperialism—it is racism, sexism, and chauvinism all in one. And of course the epitome of Western imperialism is the British Empire, the biggest empire the world has ever known, covering at its height a quarter of the globe's surface and...

No writer has rendered our boundaryless, postcolonial world more acutely or prophetically than V. S. Naipaul, or given its upheavals such a hauntingly human face. A perfect case in point is this riveting novel, a masterful and stylishly rendered narrative of emigration, dislocation, and dread...

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 Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah, read by Ashley Zhangazha. The new novel from the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature - 'a maestro' (Guardian). A captivating story of the intertwined lives of three young people coming-of-age in postcolonial East Africa Selected as a book...

Brought to you by Penguin. Thomas Asbridge’s remarkable new book reveals the global impact of humanity’s greatest natural disaster, and the terrible human cost of this calamity. In the mid-fourteenth century, a lethal plague struck the medieval world, causing unimaginable suffering and...

Bloomsbury presents Gravel Heart by Abdulrazak Gurnah, read by Damian Lynch. From the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, a powerful story of exile, migration, and betrayal. Salim has always known that his father does not want him. Living with his parents and his adored Uncle Amir in a...

In this third book of the middle-grade Adventures on Trains series by M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, amateur sleuth Hal Beck travels to South Africa with his uncle to a ride a famous train...and stumbles onto a murder mystery! Following his adventure on the California Comet, artist and amateur...

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...

Experience the gripping history of colonization and the relentless fight for liberation that birthed a modern democracy. This immersive narrative transports you from pre-colonial trade networks to the brutal legal architecture of apartheid. Witness the epic clash of empires and the ultimate...

Uncover the fierce conflicts and staggering economic power that drove the rise and fall of British colonialism. Whether you want a thought-provoking narrative for your daily commute or an immersive educational listen, this epic history tracks how a small island kingdom conquered the globe...

'POETIC AND FIERCE' - Olivette Otele, author of AFRICAN EUROPEANS 'THIS SWEEPING HISTORY RESTORES WOMEN TO THE CENTRE OF AFRICAN POLITICAL POWER...BOTH ACCESSIBLE AND RIGOROUS' The Observer 'A RICH, SUMPTUOUS AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN TAPESTRY' - Candice Carty-Williams, author of QUEENIE 'A...

In the vein of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware, a deliciously wicked and atmospheric thriller about a group of old friends who plan to reconnect on an African safari vacation, but soon learn that their wild pasts have finally caught up with them. “A wonderfully atmospheric thriller of secrets, lies...

'This captivating account . . . is the story of an ordinary soldier, but an extraordinary man. I commend this book most warmly.' Richard Dannatt, General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, Chief of the General Staff 2006-9 'The amazing account of a young man, Neville 'Timber' Wood, who, despite...

We don't want to tell you too much about this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this: It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific. The story starts there, but the book doesn't. And...

If you had the chance to change your future, would you take it? Perfect for fans of Neal Shusterman and Jason Reynolds, this powerhouse, mind-bending YA debut follows two teens, a generation apart, whose fates collide across time—and outside of it. Today During arguably the worst week of...

Bloomsbury presents Settlers written and read by Jimi Famurewa. A journey into the extraordinary, vibrant world of Black African London which is shaping modern Britain. What makes a Londoner? What is it to be Black, African and British? And how can we understand the many tangled roots of our...

Bloomsbury presents Gravel Heart by Abdulrazak Gurnah, read by Damian Lynch. By the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature ‘The elegance and control of Gurnah's writing, and his understanding of how quietly and slowly and repeatedly a heart can break, make this a deeply rewarding...

Winner of the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize Winner of the Longman History Today Trustees’ Award Longlisted for the Orwell Prize Unflinching and revealing, Black and British is a vital history that reveals how black British lives have been woven into the fabric of the nation for centuries – from...

Why is Africa still perceived as a country when there are around 2,000 languages spoken on the continent alone? It's a Continent aims to counter the misconception that Africa is a country by breaking down this vast, beautiful and complex continent into regions and countries. Each of the 54 African countries has a unique history and culture and this audiobook highlights the key historical moments that have shaped each nation and contributed to its global position, as well as within the African continent.