Helge Kjekshus

The case of Tanganyika 1850-1950.

This pioneering book was one of the first to place the history of East Africa within the context of the environment. It has been used continuously for student teaching. It is now [1996] reissued with an introduction placing it within the debate which has developed on the subject; there is also an updated bibliography.

...provides evidence to suggest that the nineteenth century was a period of relative prosperity with well developed trade. He questions the view that warfare was pervasive and that the slave trade led to depopulation. He points to a balance between man and the environment.