The World and a Very Small Place in Africa: A History of Globalization in Niumi, the Gambia (Sources and Studies in World History)

Rating:
Summary: A fast read that I couldn't put down.
Review: This book is really easy to read. Donald Wright is an good story teller. It brings history to life and sheds light on current events like off-shore job issues, foreign policy, international trade, nation building, military power, etc.

Wright starts by outlining basic theories about globalization. He makes a convincing argument for his case (converting this reader from the Basil Davidson mindset). Wright then shows how these theories played out in the history of Niumi, a small but powerful country on the west coast of Africa. Along the way he tells spellbinding tales about Niumi policitics, economy, religion, and culture. Wright did a great deal of research, and points out what is well documented versus anecdotal. My only wish is that the maps could be more helpful...maybe more detail, more color, more of them.

Good books to read along with this are Skeletons on the Sahara by Dean King, and Francis Bok's book about slavery in the Sudan.

Reading this book has given me 1) a better grasp of African history, 2) a greater awareness of the long history of globalization, and 3)a better ability to read the signs of our times and speculate where the current economic hub is rolling to (hint: its time to start learning Chinese).