Book cover of A History of Algeria

Book description

Covering a period of five hundred years, from the arrival of the Ottomans to the aftermath of the Arab uprisings, James McDougall presents an expansive new account of the modern history of Africa's largest country. Drawing on substantial new scholarship and over a decade of research, McDougall places Algerian society…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked A History of Algeria as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

James McDougall’s History of Algeria gives an excellent overview of Algerian history, focusing on the lived experiences of the Algerian people over the last 500 years.

He does this with an easily readable style, offering acute insights and drawing on the personal experiences of those who lived through world-changing movements. He covers the War of Independence and the revolutionary transformations which ensued in Algeria, and across the continent, by that long and heroic struggle.

A History of Algeria by British historian James McDougall is one of the most original books I have read on Algeria. It takes a fresh new look at the history of contemporary Algeria and avoids the classic chronological approach. The style is exquisite, and the scientific rigor is impeccable. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about the history of Algeria, and Algerians. 

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