"At the end of the century the mood of the continent has come full cycle, repeating the euphoria at its beginning - a joyful optimism about the dawn of an African renaissance, but this time round there is the sobering experience of four decades of difficulties confronting the complex problems inherent in the creating of new independent states, and of the obstacles in the way of establishing continental unity which remains an unfulfilled but still undimmed dream." - from Chapter Four. For over two generations Colin Legum has been an activist, a scholar, and a respected journalist involved with the politics and development of Africa. No one is in a better position to assess Africa's experience since independence and to make some cautious predictions about the continent's likely future. Legum divides his analysis into four main sections: "The Romantic Period, 1939-1970, "The Period of Disillusionment, 1970-1985," and "The Period of Realism, 1988-?"A fourth part speculates about the notion that Africa is currently undergoing a "Period of Renaissance." In it, while always a realist (recognising that the struggle for democracy is ongoing, that economic problems are enormous, and that AIDS has become pandemic on the continent), Legum, nevertheless, permits himself to imagine and describe some hopeful possible futures.A major feature of "Africa Since Independence" is that throughout African countries are seen as going through experiences similar to Europe and the West in general. This is a book that will appeal to scholars and students alike. It is concise, judicious, insightful, and thought-provoking. Colin Legum now lives in Cape Town, his original home, from which he was for many years banned under apartheid. He is the author of numerous books, including "Pan-Africanism: A Brief History" and "South Africa: Crisis for the West" (with Margaret Legum). He was the founder of the African Contemporary Record and edited twenty- three volumes of this publication. He was also co-editor of "The Middle East Survey".