{"product_id":"the-fortunes-of-africa-martin-meredith-9781610394598","title":"The Fortunes of Africa: A 5000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavor","description":"\u003cb\u003eA sweeping history the fortune seekers, adventurers, despots, and thieves who have ruthlessly endeavored to extract gold, diamonds, and other treasures from Africa and its people.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Africa has been coveted for its rich natural resources ever since the era of the Pharaohs. In past centuries, it was the lure of gold, ivory, and slaves that drew merchant-adventurers and conquerors from afar. In modern times, the focus of attention is on oil, diamonds, and other rare earth minerals. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In this vast and vivid panorama of history, Martin Meredith follows the fortunes of Africa over a period of 5,000 years. With compelling narrative, he traces the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and empires; the spread of Christianity and Islam; the enduring quest for gold and other riches; the exploits of explorers and missionaries; and the impact of European colonization. He examines, too, the fate of modern African states and concludes with a glimpse of their future. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e His cast of characters includes religious leaders, mining magnates, warlords, dictators, and many other legendary figures-among them Mansa Musa, ruler of the medieval Mali empire, said to be the richest man the world has ever known.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Martin Meredith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1610394593\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781610394598\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e PublicAffairs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/14\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 784\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 3.05lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.30h x 6.50w x 2.30d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/15\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/25\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/01\/2014 pg. 31\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2015","brand":"Martin Meredith","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":43987002032383,"sku":"9781610394598","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_c0cbab9e-db7d-422f-9544-e4492d248982.jpg?v=1683286426","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-fortunes-of-africa-martin-meredith-9781610394598","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}