No Fist Is Big Enough to Hide the Sky stands as a key text in the history of the eleven-year struggle against Portuguese rule in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. Though perhaps less well known than the struggles in Angola and Mozambique, the liberation war waged by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) easily ranks alongside those conflicts as an example of an African independence movement triumphing against overwhelming odds. Basil Davidson, a leading authority on Portuguese Africa who witnessed many of these events first hand, draws on his own extensive experience in the country as well as the PAIGC archives to provide a detailed and rigorous analysis of the conflict. The book also provides one of the earliest accounts of the assassination of the PAIGC's founder, Amilcar Cabral, and documents the movement's remarkable success in recovering from the death of its leader and in eventually attaining independence. Featuring a preface by Cape Verde's first president, Aristides Pereira, and a foreword by Cabral himself, No Fist is Big Enough to Hide the Sky remains an invaluable resource for the study both of the region and of African liberation struggles as a whole.
Basil Davidson Books
This British historian and writer is a leading authority on African history, with particular expertise on Portuguese Africa before the 1974 Carnation Revolution. His works delve into the themes of colonialism, the emancipation movements of African peoples, and a critical assessment of the impact of modern nation-states on the continent. He emphasizes pre-colonial African achievements and the devastating effects of the transatlantic slave trade. His writings, valued for their deep insight and unbiased approach, are required reading in many British universities, establishing him as a globally recognized expert in African history.







The African Slave Trade
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Examines the slave trade in three areas of Africa: the old Congo kingdoms, the city states of the East Coast, and parts of the Guinea coast.
Africa in History
- 480 pages
- 17 hours of reading
History of Africa tracing its inner growth and world wide significance that also includes recent changes in South Africa.
The book explores the rich history and diverse cultures of West Africa, emphasizing the region's significance in shaping global narratives. It delves into the impact of colonialism, the resilience of local communities, and the vibrant traditions that continue to thrive. Through detailed analysis and engaging storytelling, it presents a nuanced understanding of West Africa's past and its ongoing influence in contemporary society, making it an essential read for those interested in African studies and history.
Modern Africa
- 312 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Basil Davidson's famous book -- now updated in a welcome Third Edition -- reviews the social and political history of Africa in the twentieth century. It takes the reader from the colonial era through the liberation movements to independence and beyond. It faces squarely the disappointments and breakdowns that have dulled the early successes of the post-colonial era; yet, for all the sorrows and uncertainties of Africa today, Basil Davidson shows how much has been achieved since decolonization, and the mood of his new final chapter is hopeful and buoyant.
Included writings by Harkhuf, Pepi-nakt, Tuthmosis III, Piankhi, Herodotus, Ezana, Desmond Clark, Bernard Fagg, Frank Willett, Muhammed Bello, Samuel Johnson, Saburi Biobaku, Tamsir Niane, Al Yakubi, Al Bekri, Al Omari, Ibn Battuta, Al Maghili, Ahmed Ibn Fartua, Kati, Es-Sa'adi, Egharevba, Al Mas'udi, Freeman-Grenville, Idrisi, Yu-Yang-Tsa-Tsu, Chao Ju-Kua, Chang Hsieh, Vasco da Gama, Duarte Barbosa, Hans Mayr, Diogo de Alcancova, D.P. Abraham, Pedro Vaz Soares, Joao de Barros, Antonio Boccarro, Manoel Barreto, Ruy de Pina, Alonso de Palencia, Affonso of Congo, Abreu de Brito, John Landye, Richard Jobson, John Hawkins, Richard Eden, William Towerson, Oliveira Cadornega, John Casseneuve, William Bosman, Michel Adanson, Richard Brew, James Penny, John Johnston, Archibald Dalzell, Robert Norris, Olaudah Equiano, Abbe Proyart, Thomas Winterbottom, James Bruce, Andrew Sparrman, Frederic Caillaud, Henry Fynn, Edouard Casalis, Robert Moffat, David Livingstone, Antonio Gamitto, James Prior, Mungo Park, Uthman Dan Fodio, Brodie Cruickshank, Heinrich Barth, Martin Delany, Mary Kingsley, Leo Frobenius, Charles Domingo, Placide Tempels, Macemba, Edward Blyden, Winwood Reade, and others.



