Overview

‘If you want to understand Nigeria’s history in one succinct go, this is a very good choice.’ Noo Saro-Wiwa Known as the African Giant, Nigeria's story is complex and often contradictory. How, despite the ravages of colonialism, civil war, ongoing economic disappointment and most recently the Boko Haram insurgency, has the country managed to stay together for a hundred years? Why, despite an abundance of oil, mineral and agricultural wealth, have so many of its people remained in poverty? These are the key questions explored by Richard Bourne in this remarkable and wide-ranging account of Nigeria's history, from its creation in 1914 to the historic 2015 elections and beyond. Featuring a wealth of original research and interviews, this is an essential insight into the shaping of a country where, despite the seemingly dashed optimism that was raised at independence, there still remains hope 'the Nigeria project' may still succeed.

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9781780329062

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Reviews

Richard Bourne's meticulously researched book is a major addition to Nigerian history. --Guy Arnold, author of Africa: A Modern History

'Fills a gap for a one-stop history of the first century ... Bourne relates a century's worth of politics at a brisk clip.'Financial Times 'Bourne has managed to condense a century of turbulent history into a remarkably slim tome...the author judiciously highlights key moments and personalities in Nigeria's story. His analysis is backed up with solid economic facts and personal interviews, all of it spiced with compelling anecdotes...If you want to understand Africa's Giant's history in one succinct go, Nigeria is a very good choice.'Noo Saro-Wiwa, Prospect 'Writing about the diversity and complexity of governance in Nigeria poses a challenge even to established historians. Richard Bourne has in this book tackled the challenge with detailed research and admirable perspicacity. Recommended reading for all those interested in Nigerian history.' Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General 'Well researched and full of the anecdotes that turn a great history into an enjoyable one, Bourne's book is a necessary addition to the growing canon of comprehensive histories of Nigeria.' Chibundu Onuzo, Guardian columnist and author of The Spider King's Daughter 'This book is a major achievement and I defy anyone who reads it not to learn from it and gain greater understanding of the nature and development of a major African nation.' Lalage Bown, Professor Emeritus, Glasgow University 'Richard Bourne's meticulously researched book is a major addition to Nigerian history.' Guy Arnold, author of Africa: A Modern History 'This is a charming read that will educate the general reader, while allowing specialists additional insights to build upon. It deserves an audience far beyond the confines of Nigerian studies.' Toyin Falola, African Studies Association and the University of Texas at Austin 'With his characteristic candour, pithiness and immaculate judgement, Bourne gives us a Nigerian history that reveals not only its full complexity but its huge range of dynamism, resilience and hope for the future. This is a very fine book.' Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London 'Richard Bourne's brilliant new book is an admirable, fair-minded account of a complex story, embellished with excellent portraits of its extended cast.' Richard Gott, author of Britain's Empire 'Fills a gap for a one-stop history of the first century ... Bourne relates a century's worth of politics at a brisk clip.' Financial Times 'Bourne has managed to condense a century of turbulent history into a remarkably slim tome...the author judiciously highlights key moments and personalities in Nigeria's story. His analysis is backed up with solid economic facts and personal interviews, all of it spiced with compelling anecdotes...If you want to understand Africa's Giant's history in one succinct go, Nigeria is a very good choice.' Noo Saro-Wiwa, Prospect 'Writing about the diversity and complexity of governance in Nigeria poses a challenge even to established historians. Richard Bourne has in this book tackled the challenge with detailed research and admirable perspicacity. Recommended reading for all those interested in Nigerian history.' Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General 'Well researched and full of the anecdotes that turn a great history into an enjoyable one, Bourne's book is a necessary addition to the growing canon of comprehensive histories of Nigeria.' Chibundu Onuzo, Guardian columnist and author of The Spider King's Daughter 'This book is a major achievement and I defy anyone who reads it not to learn from it and gain greater understanding of the nature and development of a major African nation.' Lalage Bown, Professor Emeritus, Glasgow University 'Richard Bourne's meticulously researched book is a major addition to Nigerian history.' Guy Arnold, author of Africa: A Modern History 'This is a charming read that will educate the general reader, while allowing specialists additional insights to build upon. It deserves an audience far beyond the confines of Nigerian studies.' Toyin Falola, African Studies Association and the University of Texas at Austin 'With his characteristic candour, pithiness and immaculate judgement, Bourne gives us a Nigerian history that reveals not only its full complexity but its huge range of dynamism, resilience and hope for the future. This is a very fine book.' Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London 'Richard Bourne's brilliant new book is an admirable, fair-minded account of a complex story, embellished with excellent portraits of its extended cast.' Richard Gott, author of Britain's Empire

'Bourne has managed to condense a century of turbulent history into a remarkably slim tome...the author judiciously highlights key moments and personalities in Nigeria's story. His analysis is backed up with solid economic facts and personal interviews, all of it spiced with compelling anecdotes...If you want to understand Africa's Giant's history in one succinct go, Nigeria is a very good choice.'Noo Saro-Wiwa, Prospect 'Writing about the diversity and complexity of governance in Nigeria poses a challenge even to established historians. Richard Bourne has in this book tackled the challenge with detailed research and admirable perspicacity. Recommended reading for all those interested in Nigerian history.' Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General 'Well researched and full of the anecdotes that turn a great history into an enjoyable one, Bourne's book is a necessary addition to the growing canon of comprehensive histories of Nigeria.' Chibundu Onuzo, Guardian columnist and author of The Spider King's Daughter 'This book is a major achievement and I defy anyone who reads it not to learn from it and gain greater understanding of the nature and development of a major African nation.' Lalage Bown, Professor Emeritus, Glasgow University 'Richard Bourne's meticulously researched book is a major addition to Nigerian history.' Guy Arnold, author of Africa: A Modern History 'This is a charming read that will educate the general reader, while allowing specialists additional insights to build upon. It deserves an audience far beyond the confines of Nigerian studies.' Toyin Falola, African Studies Association and the University of Texas at Austin 'With his characteristic candour, pithiness and immaculate judgement, Bourne gives us a Nigerian history that reveals not only its full complexity but its huge range of dynamism, resilience and hope for the future. This is a very fine book.' Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London 'Richard Bourne's brilliant new book is an admirable, fair-minded account of a complex story, embellished with excellent portraits of its extended cast.' Richard Gott, author of Britain's Empire 'Bourne has managed to condense a century of turbulent history into a remarkably slim tome...the author judiciously highlights key moments and personalities in Nigeria's story. His analysis is backed up with solid economic facts and personal interviews, all of it spiced with compelling anecdotes...If you want to understand Africa's Giant's history in one succinct go, Nigeria is a very good choice.' Noo Saro-Wiwa, Prospect 'Writing about the diversity and complexity of governance in Nigeria poses a challenge even to established historians. Richard Bourne has in this book tackled the challenge with detailed research and admirable perspicacity. Recommended reading for all those interested in Nigerian history.' Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General 'Well researched and full of the anecdotes that turn a great history into an enjoyable one, Bourne's book is a necessary addition to the growing canon of comprehensive histories of Nigeria.' Chibundu Onuzo, Guardian columnist and author of The Spider King's Daughter 'This book is a major achievement and I defy anyone who reads it not to learn from it and gain greater understanding of the nature and development of a major African nation.' Lalage Bown, Professor Emeritus, Glasgow University 'Richard Bourne's meticulously researched book is a major addition to Nigerian history.' Guy Arnold, author of Africa: A Modern History 'This is a charming read that will educate the general reader, while allowing specialists additional insights to build upon. It deserves an audience far beyond the confines of Nigerian studies.' Toyin Falola, African Studies Association and the University of Texas at Austin 'With his characteristic candour, pithiness and immaculate judgement, Bourne gives us a Nigerian history that reveals not only its full complexity but its huge range of dynamism, resilience and hope for the future. This is a very fine book.' Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London 'Richard Bourne's brilliant new book is an admirable, fair-minded account of a complex story, embellished with excellent portraits of its extended cast.' Richard Gott, author of Britain's Empire

Author Information

Richard Bourne is senior research fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, and a trustee of the Ramphal Institute, London. He is the author of Catastrophe: What Went Wrong in Zimbabwe? (Zed, 2011) and Lula of Brazil (Zed, 2008).

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