Pan-Africanism: A History

About the Author

Hakim Adi is Professor in the History of Africa and the African Diaspora at the University of Chichester, UK. He has written widely on the history of Pan-Africanism and the African Diaspora and his recent publications include Pan-African History: Political Figures from Africa and the Diaspora since 1787 (2003) and Pan-Africanism and Communism: The Communist International, Africa and the Diaspora, 1919-1939 (2013).

Product Description

The first survey of the Pan-African movement this century, this book provides a history of the individuals and organisations that have sought the unity of all those of African origin as the basis for advancement and liberation. Initially an idea and movement that took root among the African Diaspora, in more recent times Pan-Africanism has been embodied in the African Union, the organisation of African states which includes the entire African Diaspora as its 'sixth region'.

Hakim Adi covers many of the key political figures of the 20th century, including Du Bois, Garvey, Malcolm X, Nkrumah and Gaddafi, as well as Pan-African culture expression from Négritude to the wearing of the Afro hair style and the music of Bob Marley.

Review

“Few scholars are better positioned than Adi to chart Pan-Africanism’s history … In Pan-Africanism, he brings to bear his encyclopedic knowledge of black freedom movements in Africa, the Americas, and Europe.” – The Nation

“Pan-Africanism is much more than a suitable general survey text for teaching undergraduates. Adi clearly builds off recent historical scholarship, and his selected bibliography demonstrates extensive primary source use and archival research, including unpublished correspondence and rare Pan-African publications in several languages. An original contribution to Pan-African historiography and the study of Africa and the African diaspora, this book offers much for undergraduates, emerging scholars, and established specialists to discover and explore … This book deserves to be widely read by students, scholars, and activists alike.” – H-Africa

“This is an eminently readable book full of crucial and cogent ideas on the most significant phases in the historical development of Pan-Africanism from its earliest inception to the most recent transition to the African Union. A lively book, it is enriched by examples of leadership and strong political thought, fortified by both the theoretical and practical necessity for Black solidarity and African continentalism. The rich contents show that this is one of the most significant movements in the history of Africa and its diaspora. A product of years of research, the book is packed with information and analyses, a clear testament to the author's patience and diligence.” ―Toyin Falola, President, Consortium of Pan-African University Press, University Distinguished Teaching Professor and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, the University of Texas at Austin, USA

“In this important new study, historian Hakim Adi provides an in-depth overview of Pan-Africanism as an idea and as a movement. By charting its history from the earliest articulations to contemporary expressions, Adi captures the dynamism of Pan-African thought and practice throughout the globe. This comprehensive, informative, and highly readable book is a welcome addition to the field of Black Studies.” ―Keisha N. Blain, Assistant Professor of History, University of Pittsburgh, USA and author of Set the World on Fire: Black Nationalist Women and the Global Struggle for Freedom

“If you want to understand the context of the Black Power movement of the 1960s and early 1970s, this book is a must read. The chapters made me feel as if I was reading about my life and experiences. The historical analyses seem 'right on' to me. What is written corresponds with my direct experience. The presentation is faithful to the reality of that time - very valuable.” ―Kathleen Cleaver, Senior Lecturer, Emory University School of L