Historical Dictionary of Eritrea

The Historical Dictionary of Eritrea offers a uniquely comprehensive account of the history, culture, and leading personalities of Africa's newest independent nation. Due to the isolation and danger imposed by Eritrea's 30-year war for national independence, and the necessarily secretive operations of its guerrilla leaders, there has been a dearth of scholarship on most aspects of the new nation's history, and no comprehensive accounts of its people's long struggle for independence from Ethiopia. This book provides an in-depth review of Eritrean history from ancient times to the present, drawing on the author's wide scholarship in the field, including access to unpublished Eritrean sources, interviews with leading Eritrean political figures, field research conducted over more than fifteen years, and the perusal of early European, Egyptian, Turkish and Italian colonial sources. Of particular interest are the detailed biographies of Eritrea's current leaders and the leading figures in the long struggle for national liberation, most of which are unavailable in other publications. Further biographies of prominent historical figures and events provide equally scarce information. The histories of Eritrean towns and regions, economic developments, accounts of cultural practices, and the histories of Eritrea's diverse religious and ethnic groups add richness and depth to our knowledge of Eritrea. The Historical Dictionary of Eritrea provides a comprehensive account of the Eritrean nationalist struggle unequaled by the many specialized and frequently biased and inaccurate publications. The chronology, introduction and exhaustive bibliography add further resources for the student, scholar, aid worker, and diplomat, who will find this an indispensable resource for understanding contemporary Eritrea.