A History of the Colonization of Africa by Alien Races - Historical

Our review of A History of the Colonization of Africa by Alien Races examines Sir Harry Johnston's 1913 edition and explains why this volume still matters for readers of colonial history. This book is best for students, historians and researchers who want a primary-era perspective on late nineteenth and early twentieth century imperial policy; the single biggest reason to buy is the book's value as a firsthand document of the New Colonial period and the author's revised 1913 text that responds to later political contexts. The reviewer notes the work is historically important rather than a modern guide to African history.

Key Features

• Firsthand perspective: Written by Sir Harry Johnston, the book provides insight from a leading figure of the New Colonial period based on direct experience in Africa.
• Cambridge Historical Series: Published as part of a respected academic series, it benefits readers seeking a contemporary scholarly framing of its time.
• 1913 revised edition: This edition includes extensive changes from the 1899 original, making the text reflective of later political developments and the author's revised thinking.
• Primary source value: The book serves as a primary-document resource for historiography and the study of colonial mindsets and policy.
• Useful for research: Its content is valuable to those tracing the evolution of imperial argument and administrative practice in Africa.

Who It's For

The book is aimed primarily at scholars, graduate students and informed readers interested in colonial history, historiography and British imperial administration. Its tone and perspective are of academic and historical interest rather than popular narrative, so readers researching attitudes and policies of the era will find the most value.

Readers seeking a post-colonial critique, modern social histories of African societies, or up-to-date scholarship on African agency should look elsewhere, since the book reflects its early twentieth-century viewpoint and contains perspectives that are inevitably dated.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a direct, contemporary account from a recognized colonial administrator that is useful for primary-source research.
• The 1913 revision shows the author engaging with changing political contexts, adding historical interest beyond the original 1899 text.
• Part of the Cambridge Historical Series, offering an academic framing that aids citation and study.

Cons

• Contains viewpoints and language that are dated and reflect the colonial mindset of its time, limiting its use as a modern interpretive guide.

Specifications

Author	Sir Harry Johnston
Edition year	1913 (revised from 1899)
Series	Cambridge Historical Series
Subject	Colonization of Africa, imperial history
Perspective	Firsthand colonial-administrator viewpoint

Our Verdict

A History of the Colonization of Africa by Alien Races is worth acquiring for scholars and researchers who need a primary-era statement of British colonial thought and policy; it offers good value as a historical document and for historiographical study, but buyers should approach it with awareness of its dated assumptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the original 1899 text?
This is the 1913 revised edition that includes extensive changes from the 1899 original.

Is the book suitable for general readers?
It is mainly suited to academic or research use; general readers may find its period perspective and tone dated.

Does it include critical commentary?
The volume is a primary-period account and reflects the author's viewpoint rather than modern critical or post-colonial analysis.