This book, which won the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa in 1994, received the following jury citation: "the book is an exercise in historical reconstruction and its strength and distinction lies above all in its bold and convincing challenge to hitherto accepted orthodoxies, terminologies, and interpretations, about the nature and development of African societies and economies. The book is an outstanding, pioneering work, destined to become highly influential, and providing such a wealth of information and detail as to elevate the study of African economic history to a new pedestal."
The jury considered a further achievement of the book to be its "successful continent-wide approach" and "its thorough accessibility." The very full documentary apparatus in the book, "which also makes it an extremely useful work of reference," was similarly praised by the jury. The publisher, CODESRIA, was commended for "having shown great enterprise in identifying and supporting the author and finding him the necessary resources."
