Volume V of the History of Humanity is concerned with the 'early modern' period: the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It gives an extensive overview of this crucial stage in the rise of the West as well as examining the development of cultures and societies elsewhere. Structure The volume is divided into two main parts. The first is thematic, discussing the geography, chronology and sociology of cultural change in this period. The second is regional, less theoretical and more empirical; it stresses cultural diversity, the links between different activities in a given region, and the importance of social contexts and local circumstances. Each chapter has a bibliography which directs the reader to sources of further information. The volume is extensively illustrated with line drawings and plates, and is comprehensively indexed

These essays attempt to focus the light of history,on Nigeria, Nigerians and their contemporary,condition. The root idea here is that fundamental,to all historical works - that when the mind,interacts with the past, the result is something,like a torchlight whose beam is focused on the,present, thus enabling us to achieve a better,understanding of the problems which face us.,Afigbo has probed deep into Nigeria's pastbringing out all the facets, all the elements and,all the issues that are necessary to improve the,present.