When We Ruled: The Ancient and Medieval History of Black Civilisations by Robin Walker is a landmark publication, which recounts the fascinating story of the origin and development of indigenous civilisations across the vast panorama of the African continent. It is by far the best general work on the ancient and medieval history of Black people there has ever. The book is superbly illustrated with high quality photographs, maps and drawings, which provides an extraordinary and cutting-edge synthesis of the archaeological data, the documentary evidence, and the historical linguistic research.
In particular, the author, Robin Walker, answers the key question in Black history: How much documented history is there beyond the Slave Trade, Mary Seacole, and Malcolm X? In 789 pages that question is answered again and again with a vast array of evidence that explodes the widely held view that Africans were without historical distinctions. In particular, there are ancient and medieval monuments that are still standing all over Africa. In addition, there are Black families and institutions that still possess their medieval manuscripts.
The history of Black people cannot be divorced from the history of peoples on other continents particularly Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Topic areas that have traditionally been ignored, such as Black Women’s history, early African science and technology, and the two-way influences between Africa and Europe, are also discussed.
What is remarkable about this work is that for the first time it dares to connect Egypt, and its cultural affinities, with Africa and its chronological timeline within the vast chronology (nearly 90,000 years) of African achievement. It is now untenable for Egyptologists to consider themselves to be experts on Egypt without understanding the African cultural signature embedded within Ancient Egypt and its long history.
Faculty, students and parents interested in a comprehensive, critical and balanced overview of African or Black history will find no better book.
Praise for When We Ruled:
“In twenty two chapters, When We Ruled: The Ancient and Medieval History of Black Civilisations examines the nature of what we call Black history; critically surveying the often-shoddy documentation of that history. Importantly, it focuses upon African civilization in the Valley of the Nile and analyzes the key historical phases of Ancient Egypt–critical exercises for any professed scholar of African history and vital pieces of Africa’s legacy. When we Ruled is a timely and immensely important work of benefit to scholars and students alike. I am proud to add it to my library.” —Runoko Rashidi.
To Purchase WHEN WE RULED, visit www.whenweruled.com
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