Africa Since 1800 (Fifth Edition) Roland Oliver & Anthony Atmore This history of modern Africa takes as its starting point the year 1800, because, although by that time the greater part of the interior of Africa had become known to the outside world, most of the initiatives for political and economic changes still remained n the hands of African rulers and their peoples. The book falls into three parts. The first describes the precolonial history of Africa, while the middle section deals thematically with partition and colonial rule. The third part details the emergence of the modern nation states of Africa and their history. Throughout the 200 years covered by the book, Africa, and not its invaders is at the centre of the story. The authors are as concerned with the continuity of African history as with the changes that have taken place during this period. The new edition covers events up to the middle of 2003, and takes account of the fresh perspectives brought about by the end of the Cold War and the new global situation following the events of 11 September 2001. It is also concerned with the demographic trends that are at the heart of so many African problems today, with the ravages of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria and with the conflicts waged by war-lords fighting for control of scarce resources. Roland Oliver is Professor Emeritus of African History at the University of London and Fellow of the British Academy. He has published widely on African history, including A Short History of Africa (1962, translated into fourteen languages, six revised editions), The African Experience (1990, revised 1999), and In the Realms of Gold (1997). Anthony Atmore has worked in education in Africa and has taught African history in the United kingdom. He is the coauthor of the companion to this volume, Medieval Africa 1250-1800 (with Roland Oliver).