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Introduction to African Civilizations
Timely, relevant, and illuminating, this essential book by respected cultural historian, teacher, and author John G. Jackson sheds long overdue light on standard Eurocentric and distorting approaches to the history of Africa from early African civilizations to Africa's significance in world history.
With brilliantly objective scholarship, respected historian and author John G. Jackson reexamines the outdated, racist, and Westernized history of Africa that is still taught in schools, and presents one infinitely more rich, colorful, varied—and truthful. Challenging the standard dehumanizing and exploitive approaches to African history, from the dawn of prehistory to the resurgent Africa of today—including the portrayal of Africans as "savages" who ultimately benefitted from European enslavement with its "blessings of Christian civilization"—Jackson confronts the parochial historian, devastates the theoretical pretensions of white supremacists, and expands intellectual horizons.
Accessible and informed, fascinating and candid, Introduction to African Civilizations is an important historical guide that will enhance antiracist teachings for the general reader and the scholar alike.
Introduction by John Henrik Clarke, pioneer of African Studies and author of Christopher Columbus and the African Holocaust. Foreword by Runoko Rashidi, historian, activist, and author of Introduction to the Study of African Classical Civilizations.
With brilliantly objective scholarship, respected historian and author John G. Jackson reexamines the outdated, racist, and Westernized history of Africa that is still taught in schools, and presents one infinitely more rich, colorful, varied—and truthful. Challenging the standard dehumanizing and exploitive approaches to African history, from the dawn of prehistory to the resurgent Africa of today—including the portrayal of Africans as "savages" who ultimately benefitted from European enslavement with its "blessings of Christian civilization"—Jackson confronts the parochial historian, devastates the theoretical pretensions of white supremacists, and expands intellectual horizons.
Accessible and informed, fascinating and candid, Introduction to African Civilizations is an important historical guide that will enhance antiracist teachings for the general reader and the scholar alike.
Introduction by John Henrik Clarke, pioneer of African Studies and author of Christopher Columbus and the African Holocaust. Foreword by Runoko Rashidi, historian, activist, and author of Introduction to the Study of African Classical Civilizations.
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1970
39 people are currently reading
1230 people want to read
About the author
John G. Jackson
29 books55 followersJohn Glover Jackson (April 1, 1907 – October 13, 1993) was an educator, lecturer, author, and man of principle. He was born on April 1, 1907, into a family of Methodists. In old age, he averred he had been an atheist since he became old enough to think. The family minister once asked him when he was small, "Who made you?" After some thought he replied from his own realization, "I don't know."
He lived for nearly fifty years in New York City, lecturing at the "Ingersoll Forum" of the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism (1930–1955). During a parallel period he wrote articles for the Truth Seeker magazine. From 1932 to 1972 he was a writer and associate of the Rationalist Press Association in London, England. A pioneer in the field of African and Afro-American studies, he taught such courses from 1971 to 1980 at Rutgers University, New York University, and in Illinois.
He lived for nearly fifty years in New York City, lecturing at the "Ingersoll Forum" of the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism (1930–1955). During a parallel period he wrote articles for the Truth Seeker magazine. From 1932 to 1972 he was a writer and associate of the Rationalist Press Association in London, England. A pioneer in the field of African and Afro-American studies, he taught such courses from 1971 to 1980 at Rutgers University, New York University, and in Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 13, 2015
This history is the compact untold story of the African continent. Even though it was written over 40 years ago, this is a very important book. It shows evidence of Africa's great past through the writings of not only African & African American writers but it also gives proof by the writings of European, Arab, and Moorish writers that Africans were not uncivilized savages. It explores much information along with writings about ancient Egypt and why it was an African and not an Asian or European civilization. There are the old kingdoms and empires of West Africa (Songhay, Mali, Ghana) which were the sites of great learning centers like Timbuktu, Gao, and Jenne. It tells about the destroyed and lost city of Kilwa in East Africa which some have called Arab, but was really Swahili. Kingdoms of the Congo and Zimbabwe are touched upon and so much more. The great African-American scholar, historian, and Pan-Africanist John Hendrik Clarke wrote the introduction. The theories and facts put forth in this book are eye opening. Once reading this, you will never view Africa in the same manner. This is an excellent introduction to the history of Africa. It also includes an extensive bibliography.
November 4, 2021
This is an astounding historical account of the history of Africa, Africans, and the world. As is immediately made apparent in John Henrik Clark’s Introduction, and driven home in every page written by John G. Jackson, African history is world history in the fullest sense. Jackson traces the development of Africa and African people from the evolution of modern man, all the way to modern (1960s) times. As Jackson firmly assets, not only is the continent of Africa the birthplace of man, it is the birthplace of human civilization(s).
The scope of African civilization is truly breathtaking. From its “Ethiopian” origins, to its Egyptian leap, to its Central African progression, to its West African zenith, African civilizations have occupied the full spectrum of human capability and achievement. No wonder European colonizers went to such lengths to convince the world generally—and Africans specifically—that “Africa has no history.” However, there is an air of sadness as the book progresses, as we all know how the “modern era” built itself upon the brutal and relentless destruction of the very civilizations this book discusses. Indeed, Jackson spends time detailing the cause and impact of the destruction of African civilizations, placing the focuses squarely on enslavement and colonialism.
I found the chapter on the Moors of North Africa fascinating. The books holds them in extremely high regard (basically credits them for “civilizing” Europe), but says little about the impact of their colonial endeavors in the Iberian Peninsula on the Europeans there. Further, while it was interesting to get a detailed picture of Indigenous African involvement in the conquest of Spain and Portugal, there was little said about the contradictions created by applauding African colonization in Europe while condemning European colonization in Africa. Also, Jackson spends no time discussing Arab enslavement of Africans, which occurred at the same time of the Moorish incursion into Spain.
I was also captivated by the accounts of the golden age of West Africa. The rise and fall of the various West African states directly contradicts the notion that Africa “has no history.” Succession crises and external invasions as a result of the coveting of the mineral resources of the region were at the root of the demise of all three major West African Empires (Ghana, Mali, and Songhay). Nevertheless, learning about the rise and staying power of these great states is inspiring—especially for African-descended people.
I honestly could have done without the chapter on “Africa and the discovery of America.” While I am intrigued by the potential pre-Colombian West African attempted contacts with the Americas in the 14th Century, the evidence of ancient Africans (Kushites / Ethiopians) being the founders and original inhabitants of the Americas is scant and highly circumstantial, at best. Nevertheless, the point of this book is clear as day: Africa has a history that is as old as human civilization itself. African civilizations are the foundation of human development, and must be credited as such if we are to come to grips with what has gone wrong with the world.
The scope of African civilization is truly breathtaking. From its “Ethiopian” origins, to its Egyptian leap, to its Central African progression, to its West African zenith, African civilizations have occupied the full spectrum of human capability and achievement. No wonder European colonizers went to such lengths to convince the world generally—and Africans specifically—that “Africa has no history.” However, there is an air of sadness as the book progresses, as we all know how the “modern era” built itself upon the brutal and relentless destruction of the very civilizations this book discusses. Indeed, Jackson spends time detailing the cause and impact of the destruction of African civilizations, placing the focuses squarely on enslavement and colonialism.
I found the chapter on the Moors of North Africa fascinating. The books holds them in extremely high regard (basically credits them for “civilizing” Europe), but says little about the impact of their colonial endeavors in the Iberian Peninsula on the Europeans there. Further, while it was interesting to get a detailed picture of Indigenous African involvement in the conquest of Spain and Portugal, there was little said about the contradictions created by applauding African colonization in Europe while condemning European colonization in Africa. Also, Jackson spends no time discussing Arab enslavement of Africans, which occurred at the same time of the Moorish incursion into Spain.
I was also captivated by the accounts of the golden age of West Africa. The rise and fall of the various West African states directly contradicts the notion that Africa “has no history.” Succession crises and external invasions as a result of the coveting of the mineral resources of the region were at the root of the demise of all three major West African Empires (Ghana, Mali, and Songhay). Nevertheless, learning about the rise and staying power of these great states is inspiring—especially for African-descended people.
I honestly could have done without the chapter on “Africa and the discovery of America.” While I am intrigued by the potential pre-Colombian West African attempted contacts with the Americas in the 14th Century, the evidence of ancient Africans (Kushites / Ethiopians) being the founders and original inhabitants of the Americas is scant and highly circumstantial, at best. Nevertheless, the point of this book is clear as day: Africa has a history that is as old as human civilization itself. African civilizations are the foundation of human development, and must be credited as such if we are to come to grips with what has gone wrong with the world.
January 28, 2013
I'm halfway through the book and cant put it down. Mr. Jackson does a riveting job at offering his point of view without judgment. he just provides the evidence and tells the story and lets the readers decide how to feel about his work. African Civilizations is a powerful art piece that will stir the emotions of anyone who reads it.
January 24, 2019
I picked this one up because I felt completely out to sea on the subject of African culture and history. John G. Jackson goes all the way back to the very beginning of humankind and runs through to the wave of African countries declaring their independence as the book was nearing publication (1970). There is heavy focus in particular on Egyptian cultural history, as well as the Moors' expansion into Northern Africa and Southern Europe. Perhaps most important among the topics discussed are Africa's contribution to world culture and civilization as a whole, which essentially serves as an essential corrective at a time when white supremacy and "Western chauvinism" seem increasingly en vogue among some sections of society.
October 31, 2011
This was a very informative, eye-opening and illuminating book. It is-What your history teacher never told you about Africa (if Africa was even talked about in your history classes, smh). The world has been lied to about that magnificent continent. Read the truth and the extensive bibliography.
May 16, 2024
book #20 of 2023: Introduction to African Civilizations (1970) by African-American historian and author John G. Jackson. this topic is one I’ve wanted to dig into for decades and this book, specifically, for the couple of years I’ve known about it. I had planned to read The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality by Cheikh Anta Diop first, but that was 275 pages of Egyptians really were African and…I already know that, so…. anyway, according to the book I ended up reading (and am reviewing here), African, and indeed human, civilization actually started in Ethiopia: this was in the first and second chapters of the book. the next chapter was on Egypt, which I’ve actually read quite a bit about already (so I was kind of dreading that chapter), but the author is marvelous at synthesizing content and weaving an informative, cohesive, and graspable story, so even stories I’d read before were a great pleasure to read. (note: this author is definitely an historian, but all the citations in this book, all the content in this book, was based on secondary sources, so he was a library historian vs those writing the primary sources he referenced, like Herodotus actually out there in the field taking notes based on first-person observation, which makes sense because the vast majority of history covered in this book happened before the author was born.) the Egyptian chapter did have some bits i hadn’t read about or definitely wanted to learn more about, such as Imhotep. he was amazing: he was the King Zoser’s vizier, an astoundingly good architect, but most notably, after his death he was viewed as the god of medicine. there was such a powerful cult around him that, according to this book, the Greeks wanted to steal Egypt’s thunder and hyped Hippocrates in his place (I think another group, the Khazars, wanted to keep his secrets to themselves). also, Egypt got a lot of its culture, including religious influences, from Ethiopia. the next chapter was about how Africans were the first to bring civilization to Europe: in case you haven’t heard about the almost eight hundred years of rule of the Moors in Spain or if you want to read some of what this author had to say about it. in the next chapter, the author talks about the astonishing glory of the West African kingdoms: Ghana, Mali, Songhay, and Kanem-Bornu. Ethiopian/Kush religion informed Egyptian religious beliefs, but West Africans also navigated over to the Americas, way before Columbus did, and settled there, bringing crops, religious ideas, etc. they did the same in parts of Asia. he then talks about how East Africans were mariners and merchants long before the Phoenicians who became famous in such roles. then he discusses kingdoms in the interior of Africa: Zimbabwe, Monomotapa, etc. the subsequent chapter is the one I had to wait a bit to read: the destruction of Africa: how European countries came in and carved the land and peoples, and their cultures, up, enslaving them at home and abroad and making off with their resources (but you don’t have to read a history book to see this: it’s still going on: ask Niger — and so many other African countries). and how the Christians justified slavery! in the last chapter, the author goes through a good number of African countries and discusses his view of their future prospects: the book was published in 1970, so these descriptions are a bit dated. altogether, this is an extremely easy to digest book about a topic that deserves a lot more attention. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see endless examples of marvelous and enduring black excellence - and no, I don’t at all believe the author sugarcoated history or cherry picked with a microscope — quite the contrary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2022
First of all the book is filled with great information and insight on the many different civilizations that flourished on the continent. Chapters 4 and 5 stuck out to me the most. They highlighted the achievements of empires and kingdoms that I knew little to nothing about in North and West Africa.
I found some chapters harder to get through and he would occasionally go on tangents that seemed to not aline with the goal of the chapter.
Chapter 6 about the theories of Pre-European African travel to the Americas seemed particularly out of place. In this chapter he made sweeping claims about the origin of the Olmecs being from Africa. From the research I have done outside of this book, it seems to have been debunked, or at the very least very contested. Jackson presented the African Olmec theory as if it was the natural conclusion to their origin without thoroughly addressing the very viable alternative explanations.
I found some chapters harder to get through and he would occasionally go on tangents that seemed to not aline with the goal of the chapter.
Chapter 6 about the theories of Pre-European African travel to the Americas seemed particularly out of place. In this chapter he made sweeping claims about the origin of the Olmecs being from Africa. From the research I have done outside of this book, it seems to have been debunked, or at the very least very contested. Jackson presented the African Olmec theory as if it was the natural conclusion to their origin without thoroughly addressing the very viable alternative explanations.
March 13, 2019
For those who have no understanding or experience upon reading about African history and origins, Jackson’s Introduction to African Civilization is a great place to start. Written a few decades, Jackson presents historical evidences and an abundance of sources on the origin of Homo Sapiens and North and East African civilizations.
March 15, 2022
An ok read. I don't know how history books are supposed to be written, but are page long quotes of other authors on every other page the norm? Despite being very informative, this was a bit of a slog to read through.
August 7, 2021
A fantastic look at Africa BEFORE slavery. The civilization that was apparent and the numerous contributions that Black people have given to the world. This is truly a MUST-READ!
February 3, 2025
This 1970 tome is essentially a quasi historical polemic on what author John Jackson emphasizes is "African" civilization over time. The author never formally trained as an historian nor did he attend university. He was a classic dilettante who had a measurable audience.
Jackson's overriding thesis is "Africa" launched the first true "civilized" societies first near the Nile River perhaps in or near "modern" Zambia. To support his broader arguments, He swipes entire scripts from mostly obscure anthropologists and historians (but does mention Gibbon once).
Actually Africa was a term created by Romans, a Western European white civilization. According to Jackson, it was Ethiopia that started civilization as " Africans" migrated into Egypt, then across the continent, into Arabia, India, southeast Asia(!), central America and Mexico and of course Europe by "influencing" ancient Greece and Rome, and finally Spain via the Moors which he states means Africans, but more often it refers to Muslims. He casually jumps back and forth on his topic of discussion changing the unit of analysis constantly. Ethiopian was a term Greeks coined to refer to darker skinned peoples who may not have originated on the African continent.
The author also dives into the history of the universe,, earth, early life, mankind in distinguishing savages,, primitives and civilizations, states/nations/empires and of course present day 1970 when "Africa" is resurging.
Jackson is generally speaking,, an Afrocentrist, not a totally unheard revisionist perspective, that was most prominent in the 1950 and 1960s during the Civil Rights movement and even earlier during the back to Africa social movement.
He describes how Egypt, the Mali and Songray empires, Buganda, Zimbabwe, the Morocco caliphates, the Kongo Empire etc all represented the highest achievements of Mankind. They all were matriarchal, philosophical, egalitarian, just, prosperous and superior to anything in Europe and Asia. Theyresurgence. Worlds greatest libraries in Timbuktu, Alexandria, Thebes etc.
These were important civilizations no doubt but his leaps in logic are a bit silly. He adds that Of course slavery did not exist in Africa UNTIL the Portuguese, British, Dutch and Belgians all invaded and conquered "better" cultures. Obviously this is an egregious statement belittling his entire book.
The author clearly has a political axe to grind and is quite racist, calling all people of color Africans of "Ethiopian" descent including Arabs, Asians and Ameri Indians like the Olmecs and Mayans, traveling to the America's before Columbus did. Africans built the pyramids in Egypt, in the new world, and "influenced" the Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians and if course gave the Greeks and Romans all of their classical knowledge and ideas. Yikes.
Jesus was an African because of his skin,(brown or even Black). Moses grew up in Egypt so he was an African and so on. No one can disagree that Egypt was an early and a great civilization, although not the first chronologically. Also It was likely that Arabs and Indians spread culture to African cultures more than the reverse.
Yet, Jackson is correct about Mohammed and Islamic influence especially in North Africa and into Spain and western Africa and Senegal and Nigeria, and Islam did advance those cultures significantly.However he claims that all the enlightened Arab and Semites were of course Africans.
He finally concludes discussing 40 or so now independent African states in 1970, with the 1960 countries and first leaders in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, and later in the decade in East Africa in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia Malawi, and earlier in North Africa with the revolutionary anti French movements in Tunisia, and Algeria. This is the defensible chapter in the book.
By reading Toby Green's A Firstfull of Shells or Adam Hochschild's King Leopold's Ghost, one would a more capture a much accurate examination of history across Africa. Jackson merely rambles on discussing religious rites, Hercules, the number of universities in Sudan etc while defensively claiming or at least overgeneralizing when or what Africa really represents.
I'm sure his lectures were entertaining to select audiences but his was certainly a misuse of knowledge in the worst way. The tribes and civilizations across Africa and all parts of the modern world as well, have little reason to justify their roles in history.
In all cultures, something, but always everything, is beneficial and contributes to the knowledge of All of humanity. There is no need to argue one is intrinsically superior or better than others. Merely most are sometimes different and had differing experiences "modernizing." This argument should apply to every group, nation, tribe, country period.
Jackson's overriding thesis is "Africa" launched the first true "civilized" societies first near the Nile River perhaps in or near "modern" Zambia. To support his broader arguments, He swipes entire scripts from mostly obscure anthropologists and historians (but does mention Gibbon once).
Actually Africa was a term created by Romans, a Western European white civilization. According to Jackson, it was Ethiopia that started civilization as " Africans" migrated into Egypt, then across the continent, into Arabia, India, southeast Asia(!), central America and Mexico and of course Europe by "influencing" ancient Greece and Rome, and finally Spain via the Moors which he states means Africans, but more often it refers to Muslims. He casually jumps back and forth on his topic of discussion changing the unit of analysis constantly. Ethiopian was a term Greeks coined to refer to darker skinned peoples who may not have originated on the African continent.
The author also dives into the history of the universe,, earth, early life, mankind in distinguishing savages,, primitives and civilizations, states/nations/empires and of course present day 1970 when "Africa" is resurging.
Jackson is generally speaking,, an Afrocentrist, not a totally unheard revisionist perspective, that was most prominent in the 1950 and 1960s during the Civil Rights movement and even earlier during the back to Africa social movement.
He describes how Egypt, the Mali and Songray empires, Buganda, Zimbabwe, the Morocco caliphates, the Kongo Empire etc all represented the highest achievements of Mankind. They all were matriarchal, philosophical, egalitarian, just, prosperous and superior to anything in Europe and Asia. Theyresurgence. Worlds greatest libraries in Timbuktu, Alexandria, Thebes etc.
These were important civilizations no doubt but his leaps in logic are a bit silly. He adds that Of course slavery did not exist in Africa UNTIL the Portuguese, British, Dutch and Belgians all invaded and conquered "better" cultures. Obviously this is an egregious statement belittling his entire book.
The author clearly has a political axe to grind and is quite racist, calling all people of color Africans of "Ethiopian" descent including Arabs, Asians and Ameri Indians like the Olmecs and Mayans, traveling to the America's before Columbus did. Africans built the pyramids in Egypt, in the new world, and "influenced" the Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians and if course gave the Greeks and Romans all of their classical knowledge and ideas. Yikes.
Jesus was an African because of his skin,(brown or even Black). Moses grew up in Egypt so he was an African and so on. No one can disagree that Egypt was an early and a great civilization, although not the first chronologically. Also It was likely that Arabs and Indians spread culture to African cultures more than the reverse.
Yet, Jackson is correct about Mohammed and Islamic influence especially in North Africa and into Spain and western Africa and Senegal and Nigeria, and Islam did advance those cultures significantly.However he claims that all the enlightened Arab and Semites were of course Africans.
He finally concludes discussing 40 or so now independent African states in 1970, with the 1960 countries and first leaders in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, and later in the decade in East Africa in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia Malawi, and earlier in North Africa with the revolutionary anti French movements in Tunisia, and Algeria. This is the defensible chapter in the book.
By reading Toby Green's A Firstfull of Shells or Adam Hochschild's King Leopold's Ghost, one would a more capture a much accurate examination of history across Africa. Jackson merely rambles on discussing religious rites, Hercules, the number of universities in Sudan etc while defensively claiming or at least overgeneralizing when or what Africa really represents.
I'm sure his lectures were entertaining to select audiences but his was certainly a misuse of knowledge in the worst way. The tribes and civilizations across Africa and all parts of the modern world as well, have little reason to justify their roles in history.
In all cultures, something, but always everything, is beneficial and contributes to the knowledge of All of humanity. There is no need to argue one is intrinsically superior or better than others. Merely most are sometimes different and had differing experiences "modernizing." This argument should apply to every group, nation, tribe, country period.
July 17, 2023
John H. Clarke's claim on the back cover that this is “one of the best books that has so far been written on the subject” is, sadly, possibly true. I've struggled to find anything else as good, and yet I think this is quite limited (maybe even quite bad).
The good…
Every argument in the book is committed to its purpose. Jackson shows that Africa has a long history. Civilisation arose first in Africa, not Asia or Europe. And he explains in plain terms why this claim is contested by defenders of the status-quo, and especially white supremacists. He also exposes the real, earthly origins of the Abrahamic religions.
His outlines of the various civilisations of Africa are clear enough and incredibly interesting. Since this book was published in 1970 there has been very little change in how widely these are known about, so much of this will be quite new to most readers.
I was pleased to see a summary of Lewis H. Morgan’s theories in chapter one. Unfortunately, Jackson’s grip on the significance of Morgan’s ideas seems less than firm. The remaining chapters are much looser. And generally, Jackson takes a typical ‘pragmatic’ approach, rather than adhering to a consistent philosophical approach.
The bad…
Jackson was clearly severely limited by the incorrect race theory of the time, even despite his genuine anti-racist commitment.
His over-reliance on secondary sources makes it not an easy or pleasant read (much more like an academic textbook/essay book). It is frustrating to see so little substantiation, but instead a lot of “Lord so and so wrote…” or “an eminent historian said…”. I leave the book with my interest fully piqued, but unsatisfied and dreading having to fact-check almost every point. This is especially important given some of the more controversial claims Jacksons casually drops (like, Moses was a renegade Egyptian Atenist priest).
I also personally find his assumption that all civilization on Earth has a common origin unnecessary (for all we know, he could be right, but it’s just as likely he’s wrong). Civilisation isn’t a particular thing or bit of knowledge that is carried from one place to another, like fire or writing. It’s the social relationships surrounding private property, from which other features more or less invariably emerge (Jackson even quotes Morgan in explaining this!). So it’s just as likely that this could emerge many times independently.
And yet…
This not very good book might be one the the best out there (and that surely says something about the criminal treatment of African history).
Yes, there are good books about a particular place or period, but where is a single book that explains the general processes of the whole? As far as I can tell, academics have bogged African history down in endless detail and ‘nuance’ but can’t see the wood for the trees. This is a great disservice to Africa because, at best it helps us understand nothing, and at worst it purposefully cloaks reality under religion or a semi-spiritual exceptionalism.
Until I find something better, I think I’ll be returning to this book and using it to read further into the areas introduced by Jackson.
The good…
Every argument in the book is committed to its purpose. Jackson shows that Africa has a long history. Civilisation arose first in Africa, not Asia or Europe. And he explains in plain terms why this claim is contested by defenders of the status-quo, and especially white supremacists. He also exposes the real, earthly origins of the Abrahamic religions.
His outlines of the various civilisations of Africa are clear enough and incredibly interesting. Since this book was published in 1970 there has been very little change in how widely these are known about, so much of this will be quite new to most readers.
I was pleased to see a summary of Lewis H. Morgan’s theories in chapter one. Unfortunately, Jackson’s grip on the significance of Morgan’s ideas seems less than firm. The remaining chapters are much looser. And generally, Jackson takes a typical ‘pragmatic’ approach, rather than adhering to a consistent philosophical approach.
The bad…
Jackson was clearly severely limited by the incorrect race theory of the time, even despite his genuine anti-racist commitment.
His over-reliance on secondary sources makes it not an easy or pleasant read (much more like an academic textbook/essay book). It is frustrating to see so little substantiation, but instead a lot of “Lord so and so wrote…” or “an eminent historian said…”. I leave the book with my interest fully piqued, but unsatisfied and dreading having to fact-check almost every point. This is especially important given some of the more controversial claims Jacksons casually drops (like, Moses was a renegade Egyptian Atenist priest).
I also personally find his assumption that all civilization on Earth has a common origin unnecessary (for all we know, he could be right, but it’s just as likely he’s wrong). Civilisation isn’t a particular thing or bit of knowledge that is carried from one place to another, like fire or writing. It’s the social relationships surrounding private property, from which other features more or less invariably emerge (Jackson even quotes Morgan in explaining this!). So it’s just as likely that this could emerge many times independently.
And yet…
This not very good book might be one the the best out there (and that surely says something about the criminal treatment of African history).
Yes, there are good books about a particular place or period, but where is a single book that explains the general processes of the whole? As far as I can tell, academics have bogged African history down in endless detail and ‘nuance’ but can’t see the wood for the trees. This is a great disservice to Africa because, at best it helps us understand nothing, and at worst it purposefully cloaks reality under religion or a semi-spiritual exceptionalism.
Until I find something better, I think I’ll be returning to this book and using it to read further into the areas introduced by Jackson.
July 5, 2025
A masterclass in source synthesis and narrative, John Jackson's work is a perfect starting point for students of history interested in the origins of civilization and the impact of European colonization on Africa. This book covers from the beginning of civilization to the late 1960s. Every page, Jackson finds the perfect source to supplement his argument and provide proof for his claims; he does it in a way that doesn't feel jarring or forced, but natural and compelling. One of my main takeaways was how suppressed knowledge of the original travelers to America is in education. Even Columbus's men themselves admitted that Africans had been there prior to the Spaniards, yet in schools today most teach that Columbus "discovered" the New World. It was actually the Malians, under the reign of Mansa Musa's father. I also appreciated learning about the use of Christianity to subjugate Black people and reconcile the conscience of the European invaders, and about how the Europeans observed African culture, destroyed it through slavery, and then pointed at the aftermath of their destruction and used it as a justification to civilize and "exterminate the brutes," as professor Chomsky would say. An unfortunate fact about African history is the destruction of various African libraries, many of which had hundreds of thousands of books, due to (mostly) foreign invasions and (somewhat also due to) internal wars. The authors mentioned an interesting story where Julius Caesar had a dream about the destruction of Carthage, which affected him so profoundly that as soon as he woke up he wrote an order to restore the ruins.
The book's length of 350 pages is the right amount. It covers a broad amount of African history and analysis over 10 chapters without feeling too overbearing or laborious.
I did find it peculiar how the book professes the theory that human civilization originated from Ethiopia, however this book was released in the 70s and so they had no idea about the genetic evidence demonstrating that humanity evolved from the San people in Southern Africa, not the horn.
The book's length of 350 pages is the right amount. It covers a broad amount of African history and analysis over 10 chapters without feeling too overbearing or laborious.
I did find it peculiar how the book professes the theory that human civilization originated from Ethiopia, however this book was released in the 70s and so they had no idea about the genetic evidence demonstrating that humanity evolved from the San people in Southern Africa, not the horn.
July 7, 2023
I think the best way to review this book is with a compliment sandwich. This book is incredibly researched, and being written in 1970, has the feel of being at the vanguard of African-American research into a continent just throwing off the shackles of 200 years of European oppression. Jackson does not just dwell on Egypt, enslavement, then colonialism, which is the majority of what Americans know about African history. He goes into Africa as the cradle of civilization, the importance of Africa to the spread of organized religion and the great kingdoms that emerged while Europe was in its Dark Ages.
The book at times reads like the best doctoral thesis ever. There are times when Jackson over relies on quotes from other sources, which are rarely primary sources. In fairness, many of the primary sources were intentionally destroyed by imperialists to limit the spread and understanding of African history. He frequently makes judgment calls on his material, rather than allowing the remarkable breadth of his research speak to the reader itself. If written today, the last chapter would feel like a recitation of Wikipedia, with resources and education being the focus.
What definitely comes across is how much was lost in 2000 years of intentional destruction from Europe. I'm sure apologists will say that this was fairly routine, but the history of Europe is that they took everything of value. Only when it came to Africa, did they destroy the knowledge and take the solid goods.
I'm aware that I'm referring to Africa as a single entity, rather than a multitude of nations and cultures. However, in this case, it is a necessary generalization. Jackson does make it clear that Africa is more than just Egypt and some tribesmen. He goes to great lengths to chronicle the kingdoms over time and geography and their contributions to the world.
The book at times reads like the best doctoral thesis ever. There are times when Jackson over relies on quotes from other sources, which are rarely primary sources. In fairness, many of the primary sources were intentionally destroyed by imperialists to limit the spread and understanding of African history. He frequently makes judgment calls on his material, rather than allowing the remarkable breadth of his research speak to the reader itself. If written today, the last chapter would feel like a recitation of Wikipedia, with resources and education being the focus.
What definitely comes across is how much was lost in 2000 years of intentional destruction from Europe. I'm sure apologists will say that this was fairly routine, but the history of Europe is that they took everything of value. Only when it came to Africa, did they destroy the knowledge and take the solid goods.
I'm aware that I'm referring to Africa as a single entity, rather than a multitude of nations and cultures. However, in this case, it is a necessary generalization. Jackson does make it clear that Africa is more than just Egypt and some tribesmen. He goes to great lengths to chronicle the kingdoms over time and geography and their contributions to the world.
November 19, 2022
DNF 2/3 of the way in. Useful as a historical resource for how researchers in this time period were writing about Black people but not a lot of new info for a modern reader (also considering that the sources especially scientific were dated, I felt like I had to do extra fact checking). If you're a modern reader who's already read a little about African American or African history, the idea that Black people have a long culture and history isn't a mind-blowing premise like it would've been when this was 1st published. Also the writing style is clunky because again, older academic source.
January 11, 2025
“Introduction to African Civilization” by John G. Jackson was both educational and deeply empowering for me.
The book opened my eyes to the incredible depth of African history, dispelling myths and revealing the profound contributions African civilizations made long before colonialism.
I appreciated how Jackson presented this rich history in a way that was scholarly yet accessible, allowing me to connect with the material on a personal level.
It’s a book that has enriched my perspective and is essential reading for anyone wanting to explore the true history of the continent.
The book opened my eyes to the incredible depth of African history, dispelling myths and revealing the profound contributions African civilizations made long before colonialism.
I appreciated how Jackson presented this rich history in a way that was scholarly yet accessible, allowing me to connect with the material on a personal level.
It’s a book that has enriched my perspective and is essential reading for anyone wanting to explore the true history of the continent.
December 14, 2024
A fascinating look at the realities of African Civilization that most people still don't want to respect or admit. I had a really impassioned debate with an otherwise rather enlightened friend about this topic, as he had a hard time coming to grips with the reality that civilization not only started in Africa but was incredibly advanced there. Only slightly outdated is the last chapter, which makes sense given its publication date. Well worth a read, regardless.
October 30, 2019
What an exciting reading. I had to annotate, look up, and learn pronunciation of some words; but well worth the effort. This is an extraordinary book that provides a historical perspective to what happened to Ancient African Civilizations, People, and Cultures.. a riveting explanation to the diaspora and beyond.
February 26, 2024
A thorough and in depth review of the general histories of major African civilizations. A great place to start for those looking for a broad overview which they can in turn dive more deep into specifics!
August 8, 2020
I learned a lot of things I didn't know. Its sad how far people will go to make others feel inferior. I understand the effects this has had and it is devastating to all humanity.
October 24, 2020
This book is indeed a book written by African for the world to change their perspective on how they view Africa.
October 12, 2022
Too much academia gossip on the author's professional peers.
December 12, 2024
Great intro to ancient Africa
July 7, 2025
book shows its age
May 13, 2008
Eh, came across very defensively. More "see how Western history misunderstands Africa" as opposed to actually trying to understand African history. Not recommended as an introduction to the subject.
August 1, 2025
Incredibly dense amount of information - I learned so much! I will be reading this and referencing it throughout the years, so I marked it as completed. I am jumping all over the place in this book. Excellent scholarship.
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