THE NUMBER ONE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD'Indisputably the best account of the whole terrible Rwandan genocide.' R. W. Johnson, Sunday Times'Angry, accusatory and extremely moving.' Caroline Moorhead, SpectatorWhen Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire received the call to serve as force commander of the UN mission to Rwanda, he thought he was heading off to Africa to help two warring parties achieve a peace both sides wanted. Instead, he and members of his small international force were caught up in a vortex of civil war and genocide. Dallaire left Rwanda a broken man; disillusioned, suicidal, and determined to tell his story.An award-winning international sensation, Shake Hands with the Devil is a landmark contribution to the literature of war: a remarkable tale of a soldier's courage and an unforgettable portrait of modern warfare. It is also a stinging indictment of the petty bureaucrats who refused to give Dallaire the men and the operational freedom he needed to stop the killing. 'I know there is a God,' Dallaire writes, 'because in Rwanda I shook hands with the devil. I have seen him, I have smelled him and I have touched him. I know the devil exists and therefore I know there is a God.''Read Roméo Dallaire's profoundly sad and moving book.' Madeleine Albright, Washington Post Read more

Insight Guide to Tanzania & Zanzibar is a pictorial travel guide in a magazine style providing answers to the key questions before or during your trip: deciding when to go to Tanzania & Zanzibar, choosing what to see, from exploring Stone Town to discovering Ruaha National Park or creating a travel plan to cover key places like Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park. This is an ideal travel guide for travellers seeking inspiration, in-depth cultural and historical information about Tanzania & Zanzibar as well as a great selection of places to see during your trip. This guide book has been fully updated post-COVID-19.The Insight Guide Tanzania & Zanzibar covers: Dar es Salaam, The North Coast and Usambara, Arusha and Kilimanjaro, The Northern Safari Circuit, Western and Central Tanzania, Southern Parks and Tanzam Highway, Mbeya and Lake Nyasa, The South Coast, Zanzibar and Pemba.In this travel guide you will find: IN-DEPTH CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL FEATURES Created to explore the culture and the history of Tanzania & Zanzibar to get a greater understanding of its modern-day life, people and politics. BEST OFThe top attractions and Editor's Choice highlighting the most special places to visit around Tanzania & Zanzibar.CURATED PLACES, HIGH QUALITY MAPSGeographically organised text cross-referenced against full-colour, high quality travel maps for quick orientation in Pemba, Dar es Salaam and many more locations in Tanzania & Zanzibar.COLOUR-CODED CHAPTERS Every part of Tanzania & Zanzibar, from Usambara to Lake Nyasa has its own colour assigned for easy navigation.TIPS AND FACTSUp-to-date historical timeline and in-depth cultural background to Tanzania & Zanzibar as well as an introduction to Tanzania & Zanzibar's food and drink and fun destination-specific features. PRACTICAL TRAVEL INFORMATION A-Z of useful advice on everything from when to go to Tanzania & Zanzibar, how to get there and how to get around, as well as Tanzania & Zanzibar's climate, advice on tipping, etiquette and more. STRIKING PICTURESFeatures inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Kilwa Kisiwani and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.FREE EBOOK Free eBook download with every purchase of a printed book to access all the content from your phone or tablet, for on-the-road exploration. Read more

Happy Valley is the definitive story of the English in Kenya, written by a respected writer who grew up there. Covering the history of the British in Kenya, from the arrival of explorer Joseph Thomson, whose exploits inspired King Solomon’s Mines, taking in the decadent Happy Valley set of the 1930s, the murder of Lord Erroll and the Mau Mau revolt of the 1950s, Happy Valley is a must-read for anyone interested in Kenyan or British colonial history. Praise for Happy Valley: ‘Nicholas Best tells an immensely entertaining tale’ - Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘Anyone with experience of Kenya, past or present, resident or tourist, will enjoy reading Happy Valley’ - Country Life Nicholas Best was born in London in 1948. He was educated at Pembroke House, Kenya, the King’s School, Canterbury, and Trinity College, Dublin, where he was treasurer of the union and editor of the university magazine. He served on a short-service commission in the Grenadier Guards and worked as a journalist before becoming a full-time author. He has published a range of fiction and non-fiction works. Read more

THE NUMBER ONE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD'Indisputably the best account of the whole terrible Rwandan genocide.' R. W. Johnson, Sunday Times'Angry, accusatory and extremely moving.' Caroline Moorhead, SpectatorWhen Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire received the call to serve as force commander of the UN mission to Rwanda, he thought he was heading off to Africa to help two warring parties achieve a peace both sides wanted. Instead, he and members of his small international force were caught up in a vortex of civil war and genocide. Dallaire left Rwanda a broken man; disillusioned, suicidal, and determined to tell his story.An award-winning international sensation, Shake Hands with the Devil is a landmark contribution to the literature of war: a remarkable tale of a soldier's courage and an unforgettable portrait of modern warfare. It is also a stinging indictment of the petty bureaucrats who refused to give Dallaire the men and the operational freedom he needed to stop the killing. 'I know there is a God,' Dallaire writes, 'because in Rwanda I shook hands with the devil. I have seen him, I have smelled him and I have touched him. I know the devil exists and therefore I know there is a God.''Read Roméo Dallaire's profoundly sad and moving book.' Madeleine Albright, Washington Post Read more

“Exciting . . . a comprehensive account of an overlooked campaign in which an outnumbered imperial army destroyed Mussolini’s dream of a new Roman Empire.” —Ashley Jackson, author of Churchill   Surprisingly neglected in accounts of Allied wartime triumphs, this is the story of the British and Commonwealth forces who, against all odds, completed a stunning and important victory in East Africa against an overwhelmingly superior Italian opponent in 1941. A hastily formed British-led force, never larger than 70,000 strong, advanced along two fronts to defeat nearly 300,000 Italian and colonial troops. This compelling book draws on an array of previously unseen documents to provide both a detailed campaign history and a fresh appreciation of the first significant Allied success of the war.   Andrew Stewart investigates such topics as Britain’s African wartime strategy; how the fighting forces were assembled (most from British colonies, none from the U.S.); General Archibald Wavell’s command abilities and his difficult relationship with Winston Churchill; the resolute Italian defense at Keren, one of the most bitterly fought battles of the entire war; the legacy of the campaign in East Africa; and much more.   “The First Victory is that rarity of military history: groundbreaking research combined with first-rate narrative skills.” —Open Letters  Includes maps and photographs Read more

With an introduction by Rory StewartWinner of the Guardian First Book award, a first-hand account one of the defining outrages of modern history.All at once, as it seemed, something we could have only imagined was upon us - and we could still only imagine it. This is what fascinates me most in existence: the peculiar necessity of imagining what is, in fact, real.In 1994, the Rwandan government orchestrated a campaign of extermination, in which everyone in the Hutu majority was called upon to murder everyone in the Tutsi minority. Close to a million people were slaughtered in a hundred days, and the rest of the world did nothing to stop it. A year later, Philip Gourevitch went to Rwanda to investigate the most unambiguous genocide since Hitler's war against the Jews.Hailed by the Guardian as one of the hundred greatest nonfiction books of all time, We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families is a first-hand account one of the defining outrages of modern history, an unforgettable anatomy of Rwanda's decimation. As riveting as it is moving, it is a profound reckoning with humanity's betrayal and its perseverance. Read more

Immaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a family she cherished. But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Immaculee’s family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans.Incredibly, Immaculee survived the slaughter. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them. It was during those endless hours of unspeakable terror that Immaculee discovered the power of prayer, eventually shedding her fear of death and forging a profound and lasting relationship with God.She emerged from her bathroom hideout having discovered the meaning of truly unconditional love—a love so strong she was able seek out and forgive her family’s killers. The triumphant story of this remarkable young woman’s journey through the darkness of genocide will inspire anyone whose life has been touched by fear, suffering, and loss. Read more

When President Habyarimana’s jet was shot down in April 1994, Rwanda erupted into a hundred-day orgy of killing – which left up to a million dead. Fergal Keane travelled through the country as the genocide was continuing, and his powerful analysis reveals the terrible truth behind the headlines.‘A tender, angry account … As well as being a scathing indictment – Keane says the genocide inflicted on the Tutsis was planned well in advance by Hutu leaders – this is a graphic view of news-gathering in extremis. It deserves to become a classic’ Independent. Read more

After the initial launch of the first edition a few months ago, the author has been fortunate to receive substantial feedback from readers. The insights provided have proven invaluable in steering the author toward a more in-depth exploration and improvement of the subjects discussed in the book. These include the need for increased rigor, analysis, and insight in certain chapters, a desire for additional chapters to cover overlooked areas, and a request for more anecdotes to support arguments and suggestions to incorporate insights into my childhood or upbringing. The author has worked diligently to incorporate this feedback, resulting in the second edition of the book, which aims to offer a more comprehensive and enriched reading experience for the audience by addressing gaps and expanding on various topics.The book examines various historical phases and epochs central to Eritrea’s struggle for independence and social justice. It seeks to address a series of pressing questions that have cast a shadow over the nation’s journey to independence and its subsequent aftermath. These inquiries revolve around whether the expectations have been met, if not, what could have been done to mitigate the distressing situation we are witnessing today, and what the lessons learned are. Moreover, it functions as a cautionary narrative to a nation that secures independence through an armed struggle but does not build the necessary governance structures, policies, or leadership for development.The narrative unfolds through the lens and voice of the author, an active participant in the described events who witnessed the story firsthand. In this account, the author acknowledges missed opportunities while expressing hope and maintaining optimism that Eritrea still holds the potential to achieve the aspirations initially set by its people — to establish a liberated, well-governed, and prosperous nation. Read more

A fascinating narrative excursion into a bizarre episode in 19th century Ethiopian and British imperial history, featuring a remote African despot and his monstrous European-built gun.Towards the end of 1867, Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia burnt his own capital, took his vast mortar – named 'Sevastopol' – and began a retreat to the mountain stronghold of Mekdala. For months thousands of his followers struggled to build a road for the great gun, levelling the soil of the high plains, hacking out a way down into mile-deep gorges. At the same time, a hostile British force, under General Napier, was advancing from the coast. It was the climax to the reign of one of the most colourful and extraordinary rulers in African history.Discovering traces of the road in the highlands, and drawing on years of involvement with Ethiopia, Philip Marsden recounts the story of Tewodros. From his spectacular rise – from camel-raider to King of Kings – Tewodros was a man who combined a sense of Biblical destiny with personal charisma and military genius. He restored the fortunes of the ancient Christian kingdom, introduced reforms to his army and to the church, and dreamed of an alliance with the great powers of Europe.But as his reforms stalled and the British Foreign Office lost his letter to Queen Victoria, Tewodros's behaviour became more and more violent and erratic. When he imprisoned the British consul, years of negotiation culminated in one of the most bizarre – and expensive – campaigns of the Victorian age.'The Barefoot Emperor' is history at its most thrilling and dramatic. Using narrative skills proven in such acclaimed books as 'The Bronski House' and 'The Chains of Heaven', Philip Marsden recreates scenes and characters of glittering intensity – and the intriguing paradoxes of a central figure grappling not only with his own people and his own demons, but with the seductive and unstoppable approach of the modern world. Read more

After the initial launch of the first edition a few months ago, the author has been fortunate to receive substantial feedback from readers. The insights provided have proven invaluable in steering the author toward a more in-depth exploration and improvement of the subjects discussed in the book. These include the need for increased rigor, analysis, and insight in certain chapters, a desire for additional chapters to cover overlooked areas, and a request for more anecdotes to support arguments and suggestions to incorporate insights into my childhood or upbringing. The author has worked diligently to incorporate this feedback, resulting in the second edition of the book, which aims to offer a more comprehensive and enriched reading experience for the audience by addressing gaps and expanding on various topics.The book examines various historical phases and epochs central to Eritrea’s struggle for independence and social justice. It seeks to address a series of pressing questions that have cast a shadow over the nation’s journey to independence and its subsequent aftermath. These inquiries revolve around whether the expectations have been met, if not, what could have been done to mitigate the distressing situation we are witnessing today, and what the lessons learned are. Moreover, it functions as a cautionary narrative to a nation that secures independence through an armed struggle but does not build the necessary governance structures, policies, or leadership for development.The narrative unfolds through the lens and voice of the author, an active participant in the described events who witnessed the story firsthand. In this account, the author acknowledges missed opportunities while expressing hope and maintaining optimism that Eritrea still holds the potential to achieve the aspirations initially set by its people — to establish a liberated, well-governed, and prosperous nation. Read more

In October 1956, Britain, France and Israel launched an attack on Egypt. For each of the contenders there was much more at stake than the future of the Canal. None of the combatants in the Suez campaign emerged in glory which may be why, in recent years, it has been largely relegated to academic studies. But the events surrounding the invasion, while combining the high drama with elements of political farce that make for a compelling story, had a greater impact on world affairs than many more famous conflicts. Read more

In the last three decades, Somalia has been associated with such horrible terms as ‘state collapse’, ‘civil wars’, ‘foreign intervention’, ‘warlordism’, ‘famine’, ‘piracy’ and ‘terrorism’. This depiction was in contradiction to its earlier images as the cradle of the human race, the kernel of ancient civilizations, the land of Punt, a homogeneous nation-state and the first democratic state in Africa. So how did things fall apart in the country?This Volume 1 of a two-volume narrative, Dr. Abdullahi explores the history of the people of Somali peninsula since ancient times, the advent of Islam and colonialism, the rise and fall of Somali nationalism and the perspectives of the Somali state collapse. The book uses a unique thematic approach and analysis to make sense of Somali history by emphasizing the responsibility of Somali political elites in creating and perpetuating the disastrous conditions in their country. Read more

I.M. Lewis's classic text on the history of the Somali peoples. The Fourth Edition of this history shows the amazing continuity of Somali forms of social organisation and the ingenuity with which the Somali way of life has adapted to all forms of modernity. North America: Ohio U Press Read more

Was there a black empire that ruled Mesopotamia and various parts of Arabia in the ancient past? There are many that believe there was, but there are many more that do not know about this very important period of history.1. Who were the founders of Babylon?2. Did they come in contact with Hebrews?3. What happened to the Cushites in Arabia?We will answer all of these questions and more in this short, but concise book. Read more

'A characteristically radical re-reading of history that places the social and political experiments of pirates at the heart of the European Enlightenment. A brilliant companion volume to the best-selling Dawn of Everything' Amitav GhoshThe Enlightenment did not begin in Europe. Its true origins lie thousands of miles away on the island of Madagascar, in the late seventeenth century, when it was home to several thousand pirates. This was the Golden Age of Piracy - but it was also, argues anthropologist David Graeber, a brief window of radical democracy, as the pirate settlers attempted to apply the egalitarian principles of their ships to a new society on land.In this jewel of a book, Graeber offers a way to 'decolonize the Enlightenment', demonstrating how this mixed community experimented with an alternative vision of human freedom, far from that being formulated in the salons and coffee houses of Europe. Its actors were Malagasy women, philosopher kings and escaped slaves, exploring ideas that were ultimately to be put into practice by Western revolutionary regimes a century later.Pirate Enlightenment playfully dismantles the central myths of the Enlightenment. In their place comes a story about the magic, sea battles, purloined princesses, manhunts, make-believe kingdoms, fraudulent ambassadors, spies, jewel thieves, poisoners and devil worship that lie at the origins of modern freedom. Read more

With an introduction by Rory StewartWinner of the Guardian First Book award, a first-hand account one of the defining outrages of modern history.All at once, as it seemed, something we could have only imagined was upon us - and we could still only imagine it. This is what fascinates me most in existence: the peculiar necessity of imagining what is, in fact, real.In 1994, the Rwandan government orchestrated a campaign of extermination, in which everyone in the Hutu majority was called upon to murder everyone in the Tutsi minority. Close to a million people were slaughtered in a hundred days, and the rest of the world did nothing to stop it. A year later, Philip Gourevitch went to Rwanda to investigate the most unambiguous genocide since Hitler's war against the Jews.Hailed by the Guardian as one of the hundred greatest nonfiction books of all time, We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families is a first-hand account one of the defining outrages of modern history, an unforgettable anatomy of Rwanda's decimation. As riveting as it is moving, it is a profound reckoning with humanity's betrayal and its perseverance. Read more

An eye-opening account of how violence was experienced not just on the frontlines of colonial terror but at home in imperial Britain.When uprisings against colonial rule broke out across the world after 1945, Britain responded with overwhelming and brutal force. Although this period has conventionally been dubbed "postwar," it was punctuated by a succession of hard-fought, long-running conflicts that were geographically diffuse, morally ambiguous, and impervious to neat endings or declarations of victory. Ruthless counterinsurgencies in Malaya, Kenya, and Cyprus rippled through British society, molding a home front defined not by the mass mobilization of resources, but by sentiments of uneasiness and the justifications they generated.Age of Emergency traces facts and feelings about violence as torture, summary executions, collective punishments, and other ruthless methods were employed in "states of emergency." It examines how Britons at home learned to live with colonial warfare by examining activist campaigns, soldiers' letters, missionary networks, newspaper stories, television dramas, sermons, novels, and plays. As knowledge of brutality spread, so did the tactics of accommodation aimed at undermining it. Some contemporaries cast doubt on facts about violence. Others stressed the unanticipated consequences of intervening to stop it. Still others aestheticized violence by celebrating visions of racial struggle or dramatizing the grim fatalism of dirty wars. Through their voices, Erik Linstrum narrates what violence looked, heard, and felt like as an empire ended, a history with unsettling echoes in our own time.Vividly analyzing how far-off atrocities became domestic problems, Age of Emergency shows that the compromising entanglements of war extended far beyond the conflict zones of empire. Read more

During the war, Gerald Hanley spent several years in the remote and scorching deserts of Somalia. The rigours of living in such heat, and the difficulties of attempting to control blood-feuding nomads, led to the suicide of seven fellow-officers. Despite these problems, Gerald Hanley writes with great affection for the local clans, an affection that is untainted by sentimentality. "Of all the races of Africa, there cannot be one better to live among than the most difficult, the proudest, the bravest, the vainest, the most merciless, the friendliest: the Somalis." Read more