This is a survey of pre-colonial West Africa, written by the internationally respected author and journalist, Basil Davidson. He takes as his starting point his successful textA History of West Africa 1000-1800, but he has reworked his new text specially for a wider international readership. In the process he offers a fascinating introduction to the rich societies and cultures of Africa before the coming of the Europeans.

Although essentially a new book in its own right, this survey of pre-colonial West Africa takes as its starting point Basil Davidson's earlier volume A History of West Africa 1000-1800 (written in association with J.F.A. Ajayi and F. K. Buah and originally published in 1965). It surveys the development and history of the rich societies and cultures of West Africa until c.1850 when European imperialism put an end, temporarily, to the story.