This book is a lengthy, deep, and rich in detail. It spans 5000 years of history on this continent and explores the true breadth and interrelationships of the varied regions of Africa. I found it quite eye opening to get a deep sense of the wealth, diversity, challenges, peoples, currents of history, oppression, and growth in this ancient place. I read this in preparation for my trip to Malawi to do business training and development and found it quite helpful to understand the history at a regional as well as cultural level. This continent and it’s peoples have so much opportunity to collectively grow out of its very low level of economic development but I believe for others to help (non-African’s) they much first have a deep understanding of the varied and sordid history of the continent as an essential first step in approaching helping others there. Without the sense of history and context people will be lost in all the currents of influence and historical precedent that are still apparent there. I recommend this book to anyone interested in African history but also colonialism and the globalisation of the world during the 1600-1900’s periods in particular.
Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
Steven Pressfield does an amazing job displaying the figures and historical significance of this pivotal battle in Western History. I was completely drawn into the book, it’s imagery, and prosaic style. I have many more of Pressfield’s books on my future reading list!
On Grand Strategy
Gaddis lays out a comprehensive examination of Strategy that has been employed by the human race. While it’s described through historical examinations of military and political history, the lessons learned are applicable to any circumstance where you’re employing human effort and systems to increasingly large quantities of time, space, and scale (the books description). I found the “time, space, and scale” description THE most clear and concise description of what Strategies purpose and fundamental benefit is for business, politics, or even your personal life. I recommend this book for all leadership, strategy consultants, military professionals, and even Industrial & Systems Engineers to get a clear grasp of a systems tactical/tangible characteristics as well as it’s higher order structures. This book is in my Top 5 strategy books and a must read.