This study of the relations of the peoples of West Africa in the precolonial period covers a period of four or five hundred years, up to the last decades of the nineteenth century. Smith addresses outside influences but focuses primarily on what happened between African states before the partition and the establishment of colonies.

This new edition of the well-known innovative study of the relations of the peoples of West Africa in the precolonial period covers a period of some four or five hundred years, up to the last decades of the nineteenth century. Smith takes account of outside influences but focuses primarily on what happened between African states before the partition of the area and the establishment of colonies.