Scramble for Africa...

""An account of one of the most gigantic and astonishing episodes in human history . . . First-class . . . Meticulously written and researched.""-- Jon Manchip White, ""Chicago Tribune""""A phenomenal achievement . . . Clear, authoritative and compelling . . . tells the story of this particular gold rush with admirable and judicious poise . . . Contains some of the best-known episodes of 19th-Century history as well as some of the most mythologized and colorful characters the world has ever seen . . . Highly readable!""-- William Boyd, ""Los Angeles Times Book Review""""Extraordinary . . . Vital . . . Vivid . . . Refreshing . . . A huge, complex narrative . . . Taking an entire continent as his canvas, Pakenham has painted a picture of heroism and horror . . . He writes both with compassion and with an effective combination of detachment and judgment . . . A splendid book."" -- Peter Stansky, ""The New York Times Book Review""""An elaborate buffet spread before us . . . With great skill . . . Pakenham strips the impresarios of imperialism of their veneer of Victorian heroism or reputations for statesmanlike vision, to reveal them as men with bloated and often vicious egos."" -- Douglas Porch, ""Washington Post Book World""""Marvelous . . . This lively history includes villains an"" visionaries of every race and creed."" -- ""The New Yorker""""Remarkable adventures . . . appalling tragedies . . . The cast of characters both European and African is large andcolorful . . . Wonderfully complicated and fascinating""-- Lee Lescaze, ""The Wall Street Journal""