Bookreport1
Gianella Begazo
HIST 108 - T
10/21/2014
African Perspectives on Colonialism
A.Adu Boahen
Dr. Fred W. Bergholz
1
In African Perspectives on Colonialism, the author, A. Adu Boahen makes a very biased approach on the effects of colonialism in Africa during the 1880’s. He talks about his personal preference involving the situation at the time instead of discussing the matter without choosing a side. He defended the kings of Africa at various points throughout the book claiming that they had no choice but to ally with the European powers. Throughout the book Boahen doesn’t really discuss the European perspective on the situation. He mainly talks about the hardships and obstacles Africans went through at the time and goes into great detail about how colonialism affected the Africans but doesn’t mention what the Europeans were going through. I believe the this book was written to answer the uncertainties left behind on how colonialism took a toll on the Africans. It answers questions such as; how did Colonialism affect Africans and how drastically it changed their way of living. Boahen does a great job at describing the affects colonialism had on Africa through an Africans eyes. He goes into great detail on discussing how Africans felt and were treated during this time. Boahen takes in consideration all of Africa’s social classes, from kings to slaves covering all aspects of colonialism in Africa. Boahen talks about the three major impacts colonialism had on Africa such as economical, social and political. He also goes on to the discuss how life in Africa was before, during and after colonialism. I believe that the book should’ve went into greater 3 detail about how colonialism affected individual lives just so we have a greater notion of the topic. This book had many strengths as well as many weaknesses. Boahen explained the situation at full depth and
HIST 108 - T
10/21/2014
African Perspectives on Colonialism
A.Adu Boahen
Dr. Fred W. Bergholz
1
In African Perspectives on Colonialism, the author, A. Adu Boahen makes a very biased approach on the effects of colonialism in Africa during the 1880’s. He talks about his personal preference involving the situation at the time instead of discussing the matter without choosing a side. He defended the kings of Africa at various points throughout the book claiming that they had no choice but to ally with the European powers. Throughout the book Boahen doesn’t really discuss the European perspective on the situation. He mainly talks about the hardships and obstacles Africans went through at the time and goes into great detail about how colonialism affected the Africans but doesn’t mention what the Europeans were going through. I believe the this book was written to answer the uncertainties left behind on how colonialism took a toll on the Africans. It answers questions such as; how did Colonialism affect Africans and how drastically it changed their way of living. Boahen does a great job at describing the affects colonialism had on Africa through an Africans eyes. He goes into great detail on discussing how Africans felt and were treated during this time. Boahen takes in consideration all of Africa’s social classes, from kings to slaves covering all aspects of colonialism in Africa. Boahen talks about the three major impacts colonialism had on Africa such as economical, social and political. He also goes on to the discuss how life in Africa was before, during and after colonialism. I believe that the book should’ve went into greater 3 detail about how colonialism affected individual lives just so we have a greater notion of the topic. This book had many strengths as well as many weaknesses. Boahen explained the situation at full depth and