Short description
*Dramatic Diaspora story the nineteenth century persecution to commercial global triumph based on independent Africa. *Scholarly text by leading historian of Africa with close connections to family and access to family records and interviews.
Long description
*Dramatic Diaspora story the nineteenth century persecution to commercial global triumph based on independent Africa. *Scholarly text by leading historian of Africa with close connections to family and access to family records and interviews. He writes accessibly for the general reader. *Author a renowned historian of Africa and business history - tells the story of pioneering life to global business. Kinship and partnership united Elie and Harry Susman when they crossed the Zambezi from the south in 1901 and travelled north to buy cattle from King Lewanika in Barotseland. The result was a remarkable family business that has flourished for over a century in some of the most logistically difficult and politically problematic environments in the world. An African Trading Empire is a unique story set against the backdrop of the great themes of European and African history.
Review
'A scholarly and fascinatingly readable account of struggle, partnership and business success over three generations.' - African Business 'An African Trading Empire is the unique story of a family business set against the backdrop of the great themes of European and African history.' - African Business 'This remarkable book traces the intricate flow and inter-weaving of personalities, partnerships, politics and business of (the second of these, namely) the trading and producing empire.' - South African Journal of History 'An African Trading Empire is a magnificent piece of work, dynastic in scope and content...African history has been largely enriched.' - South African Journal of History