by David M. Anderson (Editor), R. J. a. R. Rathbone (Author), R. J. a. R. Rathbone (Editor)

Towns and cities have been arenas around which societies have organized themselves: as centres of trade and economic activity; as foci of political action and authority; as military garrisons; as sites of ritual power; and as places of refuge and collective security in troubled times. This collection reveals the depth of urbanization in African history. North America: Heinemann