<p>Starting eight million years ago, Understanding Africa provides an accurate and detailed account of the natural, political and social forces that have created the Africa we know of today and which have shaped the continent's destiny through the ages<br>In 2001, Tony Blair, the then British Prime Minister, described Africa as "a scar on the conscience of the world". Yet there is not one 'Africa'. North Africa, West Africa, East Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, for example, are quite different both geographically and culturally. The histories of these diverse regions, though sometimes intertwined, are different too. And Africa has a rich and compelling history filled with impressive civilisations, great leaders and powerful kingdoms.</p>