New Directions in African Military History takes a thematic approach to the history of war and military structures in Africa and highlights the under-researched areas.

African Military History represents a relatively new and fast-growing sub-field bridging the previously wide gap between the well-established genres of African History and Military History. Based on a synthesis of existing literature and aimed at a wide readership, this book adopts a broad temporal range and uses select examples to highlight a series of points to cover the pre-colonial to post-colonial eras and offering examples from various parts of the continent. This volume evaluates controversial academic debates examining evidence, research methods, approaches, and changing historiographical contexts as well as pointing to potential new areas of research. It comprises seven thematic chapters on ways of war, weapons technology, navies, air power, battles, women combatants, and genocide in African history.

This volume will be of value to students and scholars alike interested in Modern History, Military History, and African History.

About the Author

Timothy J. Stapleton is a professor in the Department of History, and a fellow at the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary. He has written over a dozen books on African Military History including West African Soldiers in Britain's Colonial Army (2022).

Reviews

"New Directions in African Military History maps a juncture of history that both Africanists and military historians have often overlooked. Stapleton brings a military historian's precision to some major debates about the African past. Empirically rigorous and conceptually innovative, this book will be enjoyed by newcomers and veterans of African military history alike."

Samuel Fury Childs Daly, University of Chicago

"This is an unparalleled [book] in the field and one that will be beneficial, since there has not been a synthesis like this one before. New Directions in African Military History is going to be a valuable book to have and will be important for both scholars and teachers of African studies in general. Teachers of African history and African military history will find this book useful and I can see it becoming a popular text in classrooms."

Ben Twagira, History Department of Williams College

Book Information
ISBN 9781032385631
Author Timothy J. Stapleton
Format Paperback
Page Count 312
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd