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This House Has Fallen: Nigeria In Crisis
To understand Africa, one must understand Nigeria, and few Americans understand Nigeria better than Karl Maier. This House Has Fallen is a bracing and disturbing report on the state of Africa's most populous, potentially richest, and most dangerously dysfunctional nation. Each year, with depressing consistency, Nigeria is declared the most corrupt state in the entire world. Though Nigeria is a nation into which billions of dollars of oil money flow, its per capita income has fallen dramatically in the past two decades. Military coup follows military coup. A bellwether for Africa, it is a country of rising ethnic tensions and falling standards of living, very possibly on the verge of utter collapse -- a collapse that could dramatically overshadow even the massacres in Rwanda. A brilliant piece of reportage and travel writing, This House Has Fallen looks into the Nigerian abyss and comes away with insight, profound conclusions, and even some hope. Updated with a new preface by the author.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 10, 2015
A worthwhile review of Nigeria's recent history and its current political issues, even if it feels a bit dated. The book was written almost 15 years ago, so that's not especially surprising, but it does feel like things have moved on quite a bit regarding Nigeria's politics, specifically where things sit with the civilian government, with the rise of extremist Islamic movements and especially Boko Haram, and more broadly the advances of much of the rest of sub-Saharan Africa over the past fifteen years. Things look quite a bit different in Africa than they did at the beginning of the millennium.
The real value of this book is that it reveals a lot of the fissures in Nigerian society which have existed in the country since before its independence. It breaks down the primary ethnic groups in the country and talks about their origins, salient differences (religions, languages, cultural practices, etc.), and experiences under colonization, conflicts and history under an independent Nigeria. For someone who knew little about the differences between Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, etc., this was fascinating reading and explains a lot about the political situation and the difficulties that any leader or group of leaders is likely to have in forging a successful direction for the country in the future.
What the book doesn't really accomplish is to point out any possible roads forward. This may be because reform and progress in Nigeria is going to be very difficult, but it does feel like a very hopeless account of issues, without any really serious efforts to evaluate the chances for change. I feel like this book partakes of the old idea the "developed world" had (and still has, in large part) of Africa as a monolithically corrupt, violent, backwards place where faceless dark-skinned people live lives that are poor, nasty, brutish, and short. I'm glad that the continent has, by and large, gotten a more effective PR firm over the past decade--there are plenty of success stories about what is happening in various places in Africa, and one hopes that a more current book on Nigeria, while cataloging its very serious and scary problems with HIV/AIDs, poverty and sectarian and religious violence, would take a harder look at how to chart a path out of these problems. It can certainly be done.
The real value of this book is that it reveals a lot of the fissures in Nigerian society which have existed in the country since before its independence. It breaks down the primary ethnic groups in the country and talks about their origins, salient differences (religions, languages, cultural practices, etc.), and experiences under colonization, conflicts and history under an independent Nigeria. For someone who knew little about the differences between Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, etc., this was fascinating reading and explains a lot about the political situation and the difficulties that any leader or group of leaders is likely to have in forging a successful direction for the country in the future.
What the book doesn't really accomplish is to point out any possible roads forward. This may be because reform and progress in Nigeria is going to be very difficult, but it does feel like a very hopeless account of issues, without any really serious efforts to evaluate the chances for change. I feel like this book partakes of the old idea the "developed world" had (and still has, in large part) of Africa as a monolithically corrupt, violent, backwards place where faceless dark-skinned people live lives that are poor, nasty, brutish, and short. I'm glad that the continent has, by and large, gotten a more effective PR firm over the past decade--there are plenty of success stories about what is happening in various places in Africa, and one hopes that a more current book on Nigeria, while cataloging its very serious and scary problems with HIV/AIDs, poverty and sectarian and religious violence, would take a harder look at how to chart a path out of these problems. It can certainly be done.
June 26, 2022
This book accurately captures Nigeria with no bias. It also gives an insight into the underlying problem that Nigeria faces and as a Nigerian, I appreciate the writer's effort in bringing this book to life. Sadly, there is no difference between the Nigeria he wrote about years ago and the one today
February 4, 2015
I grabbed this the same time as Search for Africa:, The: History, Culture, Politics. Unfortunately this one was not nearly as wonderful. And definitely a slog.
I don't have a huge amount of background in West African history/culture and I got out of this book that Nigeria is ... kind of a mess of disparate cultures shoved together. Colonialism seems to have added some to the general mess, but it kind of sounds like it's been that way for quite a while.
There was a lot of recent history and politics, but there wasn't a central arc to tie it together and I'm not sure I got as much out of this book as I could have. I got that there are ethnic as well as religious and class conflicts, they have had a lot of coups and that hasn't helped, and the whole thing could Balkanize any minute.
Overall OK, but it probably shouldn't be the first thing you read about Nigeria.
I don't have a huge amount of background in West African history/culture and I got out of this book that Nigeria is ... kind of a mess of disparate cultures shoved together. Colonialism seems to have added some to the general mess, but it kind of sounds like it's been that way for quite a while.
There was a lot of recent history and politics, but there wasn't a central arc to tie it together and I'm not sure I got as much out of this book as I could have. I got that there are ethnic as well as religious and class conflicts, they have had a lot of coups and that hasn't helped, and the whole thing could Balkanize any minute.
Overall OK, but it probably shouldn't be the first thing you read about Nigeria.
June 8, 2020
It is amazing how a book published 20 years ago, a year after the advent of democracy is relevant today to the developments around Nigeria today. One must commend the author for putting work a classic work like this. This is not a history of Nigeria, it is rather a contribution to events that have shaped the 3rd and 4th republic of this great nation and the military regimes that have come between both republics.
One will hardly read a book touching almost every facets of political, ethnicity, religion and economic lives of an average Nigerian and how these events affect the Nigerian Nation as a whole. Looking back, all what Karl Maier wrote about 20 years ago are still relevant and some of things he downplayed now affect us greatly as a Nation - the neglect of the downtrodden, ethnic clashes, religious fundamentalism and all that.
This is a great work and a very good one at that.
One will hardly read a book touching almost every facets of political, ethnicity, religion and economic lives of an average Nigerian and how these events affect the Nigerian Nation as a whole. Looking back, all what Karl Maier wrote about 20 years ago are still relevant and some of things he downplayed now affect us greatly as a Nation - the neglect of the downtrodden, ethnic clashes, religious fundamentalism and all that.
This is a great work and a very good one at that.
December 27, 2014
No single book will help the novice understand Nigeria but this one offers more than most. Possibly the best introduction to why Africa's Big Country has so many challenges, but still manages to stumble along.
September 21, 2021
Published in 2002, there's no problem that Karl Maier discussed in this book which isn't still in existence. In fact, the problems have gotten worse and there's no end in sight. From economic decline, to ethno-religious crises, and the list goes. The future has never looked more bleak, but as he wrote at the end of the book,"just when despair about the future becomes overwhelming, one meets or recalls someone who restores one's faith that Nigeria just might turn itself around after all."
We hang on to hope!
We hang on to hope!
December 29, 2023
Great historical account of the challenges that face Nigeria. It does have a less optimistic tone that I would have written with but it is an important acknowledgment of the deep problems that Nigeria has. Occasionally, there are sections of misinformation and misrepresentation that come through. It is, however, hard to write about a place as complex as Nigeria without being wrong or at least incorrect to some degree. Would recommend to any Nigerian- especially Gen Z !
October 28, 2025
Die Explosion der Pfingstkirche, die in die tiefen Adern menschlicher Verzweiflung erschließt.
Im Jahr 1914 legte Frederick Lugard die nördlichen und südlichen Kolonialterritorien zusammen, da der Haushalt des Nordens defizitär war, während der des Südens profitabler war und den britischen Zuschuss überflüssig machen konnte. Flora Shaw, die Kolonialredakteurin The Times, prägte in einem Artikel den Namen Nigeria.
Im Jahr 1914 legte Frederick Lugard die nördlichen und südlichen Kolonialterritorien zusammen, da der Haushalt des Nordens defizitär war, während der des Südens profitabler war und den britischen Zuschuss überflüssig machen konnte. Flora Shaw, die Kolonialredakteurin The Times, prägte in einem Artikel den Namen Nigeria.
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December 9, 2019There is nothing that Karl Maier had penned down in His worthy book titled " This house has fallen: Nigeria In Crisis " that we are not experiencing today or had not been seen in Nigeria! Is it corruption or injustice or political crisis etc? He saw and reasoned beyond the ordinary conscience of the Nigerian people.
January 31, 2024
If you are looking to know about Nigeria, and don’t know where to start. Start here. Wonderful historical accounting of Nigeria’s history, especially its era of military rule, and amazing interviews and storytelling.
February 8, 2020
An interesting look at the Nigerian society and it’s application in statehood and governance
January 3, 2021
As a Nigerian, this book made me understand Nigeria better. Amazing book!
August 3, 2021
Though published in 2002, this book tells you all you need to know about where Nigeria has been ans where it is heading to.
March 17, 2022
It dragged on towards the end. Learned new things about Nigeria, especially how it Cam about with the 3 regions.
June 12, 2024
It is sad that years after this book was published, the problems of Nigeria discussed in it are still prevailing. As a country we have come a long way but alas we took the wrong way.
October 26, 2025
It was nice reading about Nigeria from a foreigner point of view
Our major issues are politics and religion
There is hope for one day
Our major issues are politics and religion
There is hope for one day
October 4, 2007
This is a super good review of Nigerian history and politics up to the first election of Obisanjo. If you are traveling to Nigeria, this will be your reference point for all the craziness that ensues.
September 4, 2012
Very well written book. The author shows that he understand the country and its people history and politics very well.
If you want to better understand the most populous country in Africa, I strongly advise you to read it.
If you want to better understand the most populous country in Africa, I strongly advise you to read it.
August 9, 2014
Great first introduction to Nigerian politics and country in general. It's rather dated now but still great to understand tribal differences, geographical strengths, corruption levels and positioning in Africa up until Obasanjo's term.
September 17, 2007
Nigeria's cool...
February 18, 2008
informative, depressing, slows down after the first half; still, its always mentioned as a classic
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May 17, 2009This House Has Fallen by Karl Maier (2002)
June 21, 2010
A sobering collection of essays about life in modern Nigeria. As a former resident of Nigeria, I could relate!
Want to read
November 21, 2010"masterly tome on Nigerian politics and society" --
June 22, 2011
excellent
written by a journalist
written by a journalist
August 23, 2011
A bit hard to follow, this being my first exposure to all the names and places of Nigeria, but that could also be due to the complexity of Nigeria's history.
January 21, 2012
good book.not completely accurate. a bit tedious towards the end.
September 7, 2014
A good in-depth look at Nigeria.
September 8, 2014
I have never had the urge to visit Nigeria. This disturbing book did nothing to change my mind.
January 10, 2023
Was initially put off by its bad depictions of Nigeria in its introductory chapter. But over time, I discovered it was an informative and well-written read. Almost a page turner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews