This authoritative study of 400 years of Senegambian history is unrivaled in its detailed grasp of published and unpublished materials. Taking as his subject the vast area covering the Senegal and Gambia river basins, Boubacar Barry explores the changing dynamics of regional trade, clashes between African and Muslim authorities, the colonial system and the slave trade. This newly-translated book is a vital tool in our understanding of West African history.
Research and analysis = authoritative. Writing = painful. Translated from the French, which is not the issue; the sloppy copy-editing is what brings about the death knell.
A clear if dry overview of the 400 odd-years between the arrival of the first Portuguese trader and the complete colonization of the region. A grim but fascinating subject, and I'm always excited to learn about a portion of human history of which I'm only very broadly aware.