Armies of the 19th Century: Africa - CENTRAL AFRICA

FP022

Armies of the 19th Century: Africa

CENTRAL AFRICA

by Chris Peers

Following a similar format to the author’s book on East Africa, this volume covers the area now largely occupied by the countries of Gabon, the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and Malawi. This was the archetypal ‘Darkest Africa’ of 19th-century exploration, and many of its indigenous inhabitants lived at the time in remote regions. Consequently most of what we know about these peoples comes from the fleeting impressions of such European travellers as encountered them – and all too often their experiences were limited to a flight of arrows from an unseen enemy concealed in the forest. This book therefore sets out put such confrontations into context, and to describe the organisation, tactics, costumes and weapons of the protagonists in this unique theatre of conflict. Chris Peers’ authoritative text is accompanied by photographs, maps and 120 drawings of warriors, troop types and flags.