OK! Finally on the last chapter of
http://www.historytoday.com/iain-r-smith/frontiers
this is a great book. So well written. Follows the colonization of Africa from the earliest Vasco de Gama days down until the final black vs white battles in the 1850's. Beautiful characterization and scenery. As a long time reader of history, this is truly one of the best histories I've read. Some of the characters were just so fascinating, a fairly minor chief named Makomo and his tribe suffers years and years of land and cattle theft by the English, he overcomes a serious alcohol addiction and brings all the tribes together for a last pitched war against the colonists. Likely would have won except for the scorched earth policies of the English and their willingness to murder women and children. Mostert brings his modern sensibilities to the book at the right times, seeing the conflicts with 20th century eyes. Although at almost 1400 pages, it never dragged and I wasn't tempted to skip ahead.