In 1990 Namibia gained its independence after a decades-long struggle against South African rule - and, before that, against German colonialism. This book, the first new scholarly general history of Namibia in two decades, provides a fresh synthesis of these events, and of the much longer pre-colonial period. A History of Namibia opens with a chapter by John Kinahan covering the evidence of human activity in Namibia from the earliest times to the nineteenth century, and for the first time making a synthesis of current archaeological research widely available to non-specialists. In subsequent chapters, Marion Wallace weaves together the most up-to-date academic research (in English and German) on Namibian history, from the mid-eighteenth century to the present. She explores histories of migration, production and power in the pre-colonial period, the changes triggered by European expansion, and the dynamics of the period of formal colonialism. The coverage of German rule includes a full chapter on the genocide of 1904-8. Here, Wallace outlines the history and historiography of the wars fought in central and southern Namibia, and the subsequent mass imprisonment of defeated Africans in concentration camps. The final two chapters analyse the period of African nationalism, apartheid and war between 1946 and 1990. The book's conclusion looks briefly at the development of Namibia in the two decades since independence. A History of Namibia provides an invaluable introduction and reference source to the past of a country that is often neglected, despite its significance in the history of the region and, indeed, for that of European colonialism and international relations. It makes accessible the latest research on the country, illuminates current controversies, puts forward new insights, and suggests future directions for research. The book's extensive bibliography adds to its usefulness for scholar and general reader alike.

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'An indispensable introduction to the history of Namibia for all interested in the country and her people'

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'Clearly written with impressive documentation resembling that of research monographs, this is among the best African country histories. . . . Highly recommended.'

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'Without a doubt the best account of the history [of Namibia] to date'.

"Rarely, if ever, do academic histories reflect . . . the whole gamut from precolonial to postcolonial pasts. Marion Wallace has remedied this problem in a magisterial new book, A History of Namibia. . . . Her goal here is synthesis and perspective and she succeeds admirably on both fronts. . . . At the same time that Namibians across ethnicities are well served by, and well represented in, one of the first survey texts of Namibian history, anyone interested in the development of social systems and African politics writ large will benefit from reading, and rereading, this book." - Mail and Guardian, South Africa

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'Wallace hopes not simply to have written a reference book but also to have generated new debate and research on the history of one of Africa’s least understood and least studied countries. That she has done extremely well. Scholars and students of Namibia and southern Africa will hugely enjoy and benefit from reading this book.'