★★★★★ 4
Informative, compact history of rulers, religion and struggles.
Format: Kindle
This book is well written. It filled out my knowledge of Ethiopia, which was mostly that it was isolated from neighbors and most empires. I had heard of biblical contacts, two Italian invasions, civil wars and famines.
In this book I learned of contacts with ancient Rome, Byzantium, the Ottomans, and Arabs. Trade carried on the silk road, and by sea. There was influence of Judaism, Islam and competing Christian sects. The sequence of leaders were covered as well as how they came to power. Many conflicts are covered, insurrections and invasions. The Haile Selassie period is covered, as well as his downfall. Then the military period is covered, with communism and factionalism. Finally the recent period is covered,up to the present civil wars of 2022.
I would recommend this compact book, for anyone planning a visit, or wanting background knowledge.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022