A sweeping survey of 150 years of colonial history (1607-1763), this volume offers authoritative, perceptive views on developments in religion, literature, education, and social thought. Written with wit and panache by a brilliant scholar and specialist in the colonial era, it covers such topics as the colonies' agrarian society and leadership; influence of non-English elements; variety of religions and zeal for education; reading habits and the desire...

Dowden spins tales of cults and commerce in Senegal and traditional spirituality in Sierra Leone; analyzes the impact of oil and the Internet on Nigeria and aid on Sudan; and examines what has gone so badly wrong in Rwanda and the Congo.

People who are anonymous and whose lives are usually ignored in traditional historical accounts are no less important than more prominent individuals in influencing the flow of events. These ordinary, but often heroic, people are the focus of this course. Each of the 48 lectures looks at history from a nontraditional perspective, that of the weak and marginalized-- the poor, sick, disabled, and elderly, as well as the refugees, slaves, women, children,...