Assesses Africa's experience since independence and makes some predictions about the continent's likely future. This book sees African countries as going through experiences similar to Europe and the West in general. It is suitable for scholars and students alike.

In it, while always a realist (recognising that the struggle for democracy is ongoing, that economic problems are enormous, and that AIDS has become pandemic on the continent), Legum, nevertheless, permits himself to imagine and describe some hopeful possible futures.A major feature of "Africa Since Independence" is that throughout African countries are seen as going through experiences similar to Europe and the West in general. This is a book that will appeal to scholars and students alike. It is concise, judicious, insightful, and thought-provoking. Colin Legum now lives in Cape Town, his original home, from which he was for many years banned under apartheid. He is the author of numerous books, including "Pan-Africanism: A Brief History" and "South Africa: Crisis for the West" (with Margaret Legum). He was the founder of the African Contemporary Record and edited twenty- three volumes of this publication. He was also co-editor of "The Middle East Survey".

Contents:
The Romantic Period, 1939-1970
The Period of Disillusionment, 1970-1985
The Period of Realism, 1988-?
A Period of Renaissance?