I am reading a lengthy and hefty history book that I read almost thirty years ago. It was one of the many books I've given away or lost in transit over the years, so when I saw a cheap copy for sale, I thought I'd buy it and read it again. The book is by Thomas Pakenham (brother of Frank Pakenham, perhaps better known as Long Longford). It's called The Scramble for Africa, so the subject is self-evident. Like most of what Europeans have done in Africa, it's an unseemly and sorry saga of exploitation, cruelty and self-interest. A very well researched and written piece of work, however.