The African Experience: From 'Lucy' to Mandela cover art

The African Experience: From 'Lucy' to Mandela

Preview

£0.00 for first 30 days

Try for £0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The African Experience: From 'Lucy' to Mandela

By: Kenneth P. Vickery, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Kenneth P. Vickery
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £30.99

Buy Now for £30.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

The story of Africa is the oldest and most event-filled chronicle of human activity on the planet. And in these 36 lectures, you'll explore this great historical drama, tracing the story of the Sub-Saharan region of the continent from the earliest evidence of human habitation to the latest challenges facing African nations in the 21st century.

By learning with these lectures, you'll finally be able to bust myths and correct potential misunderstandings about Africa. For example, in Africa, the word "tribe" is used in a neutral way to connote ethnic identity. Another example: Sub-Saharan Africa was not as isolated as is often suggested by references to the "lost" continent; in fact, an ancient Greek sailing guide from 2,000 years ago clearly shows that the East African coast was already connected commercially with areas to the north.

The primary focus of these eye-opening lectures is Sub-Saharan Africa, the region separated from North Africa by the harsh climate of the Sahara Desert and traditionally the part of the continent that has been the most mysterious and most misunderstood by Westerners. But by traveling on this exciting learning experience (one imbued with a pervasive spirit of charm and adventure), you'll finally be able to strengthen your understanding of this beautiful, multifaceted region.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great Courses
World Ancient History
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Foundations of Western Civilization cover art
The Middle Ages Around the World cover art
The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World cover art
The Mongol Empire cover art
The Italians before Italy: Conflict and Competition in the Mediterranean cover art
Macroeconomics Made Clear cover art
Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making cover art
The Nature of Matter: Understanding the Physical World cover art
The American Civil War cover art
History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach cover art
1066: The Year That Changed Everything cover art
The Greek World cover art
The Passions: Philosophy and the Intelligence of Emotions cover art
The Celtic World cover art
The Science of Energy cover art
Black Holes, Tides, and Curved Spacetime cover art

What listeners say about The African Experience: From 'Lucy' to Mandela

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    105
  • 4 Stars
    37
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    109
  • 4 Stars
    24
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    108
  • 4 Stars
    22
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Quite subjective in parts but very good

This was by far the most subjective of the many Great Courses that I have listened to.

That doesn't mean it was bad, it is just very clear that this is an emotional subject for the Prof.

Also a little bit short on details in parts. Very broad brush strokes are used. I would have preferred more detail in the early history section.

Overall, still very good, very enjoyable and definitely worthwhile

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating course!

really good course. a very good starting point for anybody looking to learn about sub-saharan africa.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Remarkable!

This course was very informative, comprehensive and well structured. I'm West African and I'm ashamed to admit that I was completely ignorant about the history of our southern and eastern neighbours before embarking on this course.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Totally engaging and informative

This is the 1st book I've picked up in my quest to learn more about Africa. I'm really glad I took it up as it sharpened my appetite. I'll definitely be looking at recommended reading material as well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A masterpiece

This is a long series of lectures requiring a commitment on the part of the listener to listen from start to finish but that will be amply rewarded in terms of a deep understanding of Africa it past present and the challenges facing the continent in the future. The author and narrator is a master of his subject and gifted speaker and I would look forward to listening to any further lectures that he plans to give

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

surprisingly interesting

I ignored this lecture for years unfortunately but the history of the continent in the 19th and 20th centuries is fascinating. highly recommended

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

A balanced program from a very well researched Professor who clearly cares deeply for the continent.

I was expecting some kind of bias frequently found in both natives and more commonly in foreigners who have not immersed themselves in all aspects of the African experience. African issues tend to be deeply emotive and polarising.

What I enjoyed was a very balanced and detailed walk through African history by someone who has researched the highs and lows, beauty and ugliness of the continent.

I will be recommending the program to fellow former settlers as well as friends and family back home in Africa.

Hamba ghashle

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insighful

Comprehensive for the time allowed and the supporting material allows the reader to go deeper. I have bought a few books mentioned in these lectures to go deeper. This is a brilliant set of lectures.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Fun but too superficial

Well told but I can't remember many specifics as everything is skipped over so quickly. I enjoyed it while it was on, though.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An appetite-whetting ride through Africa!

The half hour structure is cleverly effective in keeping ones attention to the end; and giving a one a feeling that one can listen to the next lecture without fear of fatigue setting in. Kept me wanting more!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!