Part I: 1914–39: Invention of a Country 1. A Merger Makes a Large Possession for Britain 2. First World War: Nigeria on the Front Line 3. Lugard Struggles with Opponents 4. Between the Wars: Nigeria is Not a Single State 5. Between the Wars: The Economy in a World Depression 6. Between the Wars: A New Assertive Nationalism Part II: 1939–64: Rocky Road to Freedom 7. Another World War and Strategic Importance 8. Political Change and Divisive Regionalism 9. Regional Governments and the Coming of Independence 10. The Joy of Independence 11. Overture to Disaster Part III: 1964–89: The Shadow of the Generals 12. Military Coups, Biafra and Civil War 13. Reconstruction, Another Coup and the Craving for Democracy 14. A Second Republic, Its Short, Inglorious Life and its Overthrow 15. Buhari, IBB and a New Military Era Section IV: 1989–2014: A Decade of Pain, then Disappointment in Democracy 16. The Annulment of an Election Puts Nigeria on Edge 17. The Disastrous Abacha Years 18. Democracy, and the Return of Obasanjo 19. Yar'Adua, Jonathan and Threats in the Delta and the Northeast Section V: Reflections
An essential insight into the shaping of the 'African giant'.
Richard Bourne is senior research fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, and a trustee of the Ramphal Institute, London. He is the author of Catastrophe: What Went Wrong in Zimbabwe? (Zed, 2011) and Lula of Brazil (Zed, 2008).
Writing about the diversity and complexity of governance in Nigeria
poses a challenge even to established historians. Richard Bourne
has in this book tackled the challenge with detailed research and
admirable perspicacity. Recommended reading for all those
interested in Nigerian history.
*Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General*
[A]n excellent overview of the main political events of Nigeria’s
first hundred years.
*Africa at LSE*
The book currently stands as the most extensive documentation on
Nigeria.
*African Studies Quarterly*
Fills a gap for a one-stop history of the first century ... Bourne
relates a century’s worth of politics at a brisk clip.
*Financial Times*
[A]n excellent introduction to Africa’s most populous country.
*Foreign Affairs*
An insightful account of great interest to scholars.
*The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International
Affairs*
Well researched and full of the anecdotes that turn a great history
into an enjoyable one, Bourne's book is a necessary addition to the
growing canon of comprehensive histories of Nigeria.
*Chibundu Onuzo, Guardian columnist and author of The Spider King's
Daughter*
Richard Bourne's meticulously researched book is a major addition
to Nigerian history.
*Guy Arnold, author of Africa: A Modern History*
This book is a major achievement and I defy anyone who reads it not
to learn from it and gain greater understanding of the nature and
development of a major African nation.
*Lalage Bown, professor emeritus, Glasgow University*
If you want to understand Nigeria’s history in one succinct go,
this is a very good choice.
*Noo Saro-Wiwa*
Richard Bourne's brilliant new book is an admirable, fair-minded
account of a complex story, embellished with excellent portraits of
its extended cast.
*Richard Gott, author of Britain's Empire*
With his characteristic candour, pithiness and immaculate
judgement, Bourne gives us a Nigerian history that reveals not only
its full complexity but its huge range of dynamism, resilience and
hope for the future. This is a very fine book.
*Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London*
This is a charming read that will educate the general reader, while
allowing specialists additional insights to build upon. It deserves
an audience far beyond the confines of Nigerian studies.
*Toyin Falola, African Studies Association and the University of
Texas at Austin*
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