This is the second volume in Foundry's projected series describing the armies of the era of exploration in sub-Saharan Africa. Following a similar format to its predecessor, it covers the area now largely occupied by the countries of Gabon, the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and Malawi. This was the archetypal ?Darkest Africa' of 19th-century exploration, and many of its indigenous inhabitants lived at the time in remote regions. Consequently most of what we know about these peoples comes from the fleeting impressions of such European travellers as encountered them ? and all too often their experiences were limited to a flight of arrows from an unseen enemy concealed in the forest. This book therefore sets out put such confrontations into context, and to describe the organisation, tactics, costumes and weapons of the protagonists in this unique theatre of conflict. Chris Peers' authoritative text is accompanied by photographs, maps and 120 drawings of warriors, troop types and flags. AUTHOR: Chris Peers is a well-respected author and historian, and has written a number of books, including Armies of the Nineteenth Century: East Africa (Foundry Publications 2003) and Late Imperial Chinese Armies 1520-1842 AD (Osprey 1997). SELLING POINTS: An examination of Central African armies and their tactics, weapons and organisation ILLUSTRATIONS: 120 b/w figures, 53 b/w illustrations e4 b/w maps
