Top history reads (2024)

Cunliffe, Barry. Facing the Sea of Sand. Oxford. Oxford University Press, 2023.

 Comments: If a work ever embodied the term ‘magisterial’, this one does. The author provides a tremendous overview of a large part of the history of the African continent with especial emphasis and depth on the cultures immediately to the north and to the south of the Sahara desert, as well as exploring how the desert itself has been viewed and lived upon by people through various historical periods. Particularly interesting is the author’s ability to weave modern climatology, archaeology, socio-political, and historical studies into a substantial contribution to how the area developed.

Highlights:

Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation: 50-75 year cycle alternating cold/dry; warm/moist weather; varying sea temperatures effecting winds, tides, etc. Rate of desertification impacted by a combination of this high-atmosphere oscillation and climate change. (357)

Camelus dromedarius: key desert beast of burden, ‘ship of the desert’; mainly domesticated and raised on camel ranches, farms, etc. Almost purpose-built for life on the desert: soft splayed foot, can close nostrils, has double eye lid plus long lashes, can go 10-15 days without water, able to eat salty tough vegetation (178)

Foggara: key system of irrigation channels and water sources created in hillsides etc. to provide water for humans and livestock.