"Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain by Hamish Hamilton Ltd, London, in 1997, and subsequently in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, in 1998"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 745-783) and index.

Founding factors: Building a continent -- Transitions -- Missing links -- Origins and climate -- Humanity emerging: Real world -- Footsteps -- Cutting edge -- In the mind's eye -- Cool systems -- Out of Africa -- African options: On home ground -- Word of mouth -- Ancestral economies -- Human potential -- Climate and culture -- Beginnings of agriculture -- Renewable resources -- Pastoral scene -- Impact of iron -- African civilizations: Nile -- Periplus of the Erythraean Sea -- Aksum -- Cities without citadels -- Disease and affliction -- Successful harvests -- Implications of trade -- Outposts and inroads -- Merrie Africa -- Bananas and cattle -- Cattle and gold -- Foreign influences: "I speak of Africa and golden joys" -- Portuguese initiatives -- In search of Prester John -- Harnessed to Europe -- Nothing else to sell -- The Atlantic slave trade -- African slave traders -- Africa transformed -- Aftermath -- Climatic context -- Settlers: Settlers -- Black and white frontiers -- Zulu myths and reality -- Afrikaners -- Diamonds and gold -- Scramble: Imperial ambition -- African king -- Drawing the line -- Resistance -- Rebellion -- Invention of Africa -- First dance of freedom: Emergent elite -- Spoils of war -- First dance of freedom -- Dreams and nightmares.