Ghana Reader

Kwasi Konadu is Professor of History at the City University of New York and the author of The Akan Diaspora in the Americas and Transatlantic Africa: 1440–1888.  Clifford C. Campbell received his Ph.D. from the University of Ghana, Legon, and writes about African and African diaspora history.

• Acknowledgments  xiiiIntroduction  1I. One Nation, Many Histories  17II. Between the Sea and the Savanna, 1500–1700  81III. Commerce and the Scrambles for Africa, 1700–1900  125IV. Colonial Rule and Political Independence, 1900–1957  207V. Independece, Coups, and the Republic, 1957–Present  299VI. The Exigencies of a Postcolony  361Suggestions for Further Reading  457Acknowledgments of Copyrights and Sources  461Index  469

"Konadu and Campbell have edited a volume that traces the complexity of Ghana, and its overall representation of a stable African state, in a series of short but insightful entries. . . . The editors have done an excellent job in allowing all sections of Ghana, from farmers, slave traders, and intellectuals to imperialists, to speak and thereby represent Ghana’s evolution to a modern nation-state that exemplifies the challenges and opportunities that face not only Ghana, but all of Africa. Highly recommended. All levels/libraries." - T. M. Reese (Choice) "There is no doubt that The Ghana Reader's rare documents and publications are indispensable to the understanding of Ghana's historical, cultural, and political narrative.... The Ghana Reader is a treasure trove of information." - Kwaku Nti (Journal of Global South Studies) "[A] wonderful introduction to Ghana and its people, stretching all the way back to prehistoric times. Opening this book to virtually any page yields a judiciously selected text that reveals something about Ghana. . . ." - Nicolas van de Walle (Foreign Affairs) "Overall the selection and presentation of texts works very well in the rich collection. Its readability is strengthened by the editors’ introduction, helpful outlines prior to each of the sub themes, suggestions for further reading, sources, and an index. The collection will appeal to casual readers of cultural or touristic persuasions, who will undoubtedly find something of interest to pursue further, as well as students and scholars of Ghana or sub-Saharan Africa.... [T]he aims of the Reader are accomplished well and it thoroughly succeeds in providing varied and contrasting illuminations of the country we know today as Ghana." - Paul Stacey (African Studies Quarterly) "A celebration of the dynamism, complexity, and allure of Ghana. . . . The book appeals to a broad range of disciplines across the humanities and social sciences and is exemplary of the kind of text that can foster transdisciplinary teaching and scholarship. It is written in a style that is accessible to an undergraduate audience but is also appropriate for graduate education, and will appeal to those that seek to better understand a country with a fascinating and multifaceted history, politics, and culture." - Jacqueline Ignatova (African and Black Diaspora)