This edited volume addresses the root causes of Africa's persistent poverty through an investigation of its longue durée history. It interrogates the African past through disease and demography, institutions and governance, African economies and the impact of the export slave trade, colonialism, Africa in the world economy, and culture's influence on accumulation and investment. Several of the chapters take a comparative perspective, placing Africa's developments aside other global patterns. The readership for this book spans from the informed lay reader with an interest in Africa, academics and undergraduate and graduate students, policy makers, and those in the development world.

'A cast of formidable scholars has written a powerful book with provocative propositions on development, the core of African modernity, brilliantly revealing its long roots and complexities in time, culture, people, and institutions. This will serve as an engaging teaching text for students and compelling instructional tool for policy makers.'

Toyin Falola - Jacob and Frances Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, University of Texas, Austin

'It has long been time for Africa to be inserted into the Europe-Asia ‘great divergence’ debate. This volume, containing contributions from the leading practitioners of African economic history, sets us firmly upon such a voyage.'

Ralph A. Austen - Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago

'Africa's economic and political history is a challenge to most well-established approaches in economics and political science. This book has much to teach and will inspire anybody interested in confronting that challenge.'

Daron Acemoglu - Elizabeth and James Killian Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

'The authors have done a great job assembling an excellent group of papers dealing with today’s economic development issues through a historical prism. All the key areas are touched upon, with the political economy, health, social capital and trust issues all discussed. A really wonderful book on African development.'

Yaw Nyarko - New York University

'This volume provides plenty of food for thought … and it is to be hoped that it is not the last of its kind.'

Felicitas Becker Source: Comparativ