"An acclaimed international bestseller, Zeinab Badawi's sweeping narrative of African history traces the continent's extraordinary legacy from prehistory to the present from the African perspective. Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone. For too long, Africa's history has been dominated by Western narratives of slavery and colonialism, or simply ignored. Now Zeinab Badawi sets the record straight. In this fascinating book, Badawi guides us through Africa's spectacular history--from the very origins of our species, through ancient civilizations and medieval empires with remarkable queens and kings, to the miseries of conquest and the elation of independence. Visiting more than 30 African countries to interview countless historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and local storytellers, she unearths buried histories from across the continent and gives Africa its rightful place in our global story." -- Dust jacket flap.