Motherland

Join historian and anthropologist Luke Pepera on a journey through African history to discover the stories that still shape our culture today
'Rich and revelatory . . . a millennia-spanning history of the continent that breaks the grip of colonial narratives' OBSERVER
'Absolutely riveting' OLIVETTE OTELE
'A masterful achievement' TOM HOLLAND
'I love when a non-fiction book can transport you to the past . . . an eye-opening, exceptionally important book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'Hugely readable' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review

Where do we come from? What defines us? And how might knowledge of deep history affect our understanding of our identity?

In Motherland, Luke Pepera traverses thousands of years to reveal the aspects of African identity that have characterised this epic history. From hip-hop's origin in traditional African word games to female-led societies, and from Mansa Musa to Chadwick Boseman, this is a personal, relevant and beautifully told account of the stories that have shaped Africa.

'A book we've been waiting for for far too long' PETER FRANKOPAN
'Magisterial, brilliant, capacious and transformative' KATE WILLIAMS
'Idiosyncratic, surprising, brilliant' SPECTATOR