THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA, 1876-1912

738pp., illus., maps, paperback, Reprint, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London, (1991) 2025

ISBN: 9781399632447

Winner of the W.H. Smith Award and the Alan Paton Award.

A study of the colonisation of Africa. In 1880 most of the continent was ruled by Africans. By 1902, five European powers had grabbed almost the entire continent, giving themselves 30 new colonies and protectorates, 10 million square miles of new territory, and 110 million new subjects.

"Pakenham's fine book tells the story of this particular gold rush with admirable and judicious poise ... a phenomenal achievement ... clear, authoritative and compelling" William Boyd, author of A Good Man in Africa

"Once again Pakenham shows a dazzling, almost filmic ability to tell a good story" Independent on Sunday

Thomas Pakenham's other books include The Boer War, The Mountains of Rasselas and The Company of Trees. He lives in Ireland.