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This House Has Fallen: Nigeria In Crisis
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List Price: £10.99
nigeria.lehi.co.uk Price: £7.69
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Manufacturer: Penguin
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 320
EAN: 9780140298840
ISBN: 0140298843
Label: Penguin
Manufacturer: Penguin
Number Of Pages: 368
Publication Date: 2002-01-31
Publisher: Penguin
Studio: Penguin
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Editorial Reviews:
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As Karl Maier makes clear in the preface to his diligent, urgent study of Africa's largest nation, Nigeria is not a developing country, but an underdeveloping one. Rich in natural resources, since the British departed in 1960, "the bastard son of imperialism" has gone from being the premier African voice to a dissenting cacophony made up of its various ethnic, geographic and religious groupings. At the start of the new Millennium, Nigeria looks in danger of succumbing to regionalism, the alter ego of globalisation, and could descend into a disastrous turmoil of regional violence unprecedented since the Biafran war. This is the third, and worst, scenario envisaged by Maier, as he concludes what is a richly researched and vigorous survey of the country and its people. Maier was an African correspondent for Western newspapers for 10 years, and reported from Nigeria from 1991 to 1993. He opens his account with the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, following it with swift analyses of definingly Nigerian tensions, such as election monitoring, the numerous military coups, the battle of the Ogoni people in the Niger delta against oil producers and their own government (explored elsewhere by Ken Wiwa's In the Shadow of a Saint, a memoir of his father, Ken Saro-Wiwa), religious tensions between Muslims and non-Muslim communities, Sharia rule and the survival of the Igbo people. What elevates Maier's book beyond being merely highly competent journalism are his encounters with the Nigerian peoples, whose outrageous guile and passionate beliefs, whether in a religion, a tribe, an ethos or simply themselves, are what makes the country unique and vital. One marvellous episode sees a riot of thieving by police and soldiers as Obasanjo makes his speech, and words are looted as liberally, with the quick wit of the repressed. The future will tell which of Maier's scenarios will prevail--a new democratic order, the status quo of economic haemorrhaging, or an ethnic bloodbath--but "God is a Nigerian", or so the motto runs, and Maier holds out cautious hope that Nigeria will survive to fulfil something of its vast potential, before the tapestry unravels too far. --David Vincent
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Understand Nigeria's many dimensions from all perspectives
Comment: A business leader in Nigeria gave me this. I have been recommending and giving it myself ever since; always to high praise. The author Karl Maier, former Independent correspondent for Africa, is a rare modern journalist: rather than regurgitate the rehashed myths of others from afar, he writes his own stuff and talks to people in real life going to great lengths to capture different perspectives from opponents, victims and perpetrators alike. Conventional wisdom is often turned on its head. People you were sure were irremediable villains come out in a different light, paragons of virtue reveal their darker sides. The tribal rivalries and colonial mistakes thread through everything.
There are no certainties, only perspectives. And if you live in or frequently travel to Nigeria I defy you not to find many a familiar scene being relived before you on page. If you have never been, you MUST read this...but get on the plane first and don't show it to your darling back home before you go.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Nigeria.........A cauldron of extremes
Comment: The author has obviously carried out a lot of research which is expertly reflected in this book. At times the amount of facts reaches saturation point, which means this book is not what I would call an "easy" read, nevertheless I found it extremely interesting and well written. The relevant reporting is accurate and clearly presented. Having lived in Nigeria and travelled widely throughout its various regions I cannot fault Mr Maier's geographical and historical references. Anyone wishing to get a true feel for how things are done in Nigeria cannot do better than to read "This House Has Fallen".
A word of caution, anyone who is completely new to the Nigerian way of life will undoubtedly shake their head in disbelief at some of the incidents related in this book. Before commencing to read it one must accept that UK standards, not surprisingly, are most certainly not the norm in West Africa. Mr. Maier's "hard to believe" descriptions of incidents in Nigeria are factual, and the majority of the relevant incidents do happen on a regular basis.
On the book's cover it states "If you are going to Nigeria..........this is the book you should read". Frankly I feel that this book is perhaps too "advanced" for someone visiting Nigeria for the first time. To avoid the danger of being put off going to this fascinating country I would politely recommend that prospective visitors delay reading this book. I suggest that they should initially get hold of a "travel" book on Nigeria (there are several good ones available) plus Nigerian history and geography school text books. These will obviously give basic facts without scaring the pants of them. It goes without say that one should contact the UK Foreign Office regarding the feasability of travelling around Nigeria.
Nigeria, like a lot of African countries, has its problems. We can only hope that it is heading for more peaceful times.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: An eye-opener-but more needed on '1960 Political Vacuum'
Comment: This book is a true eye-opener and provided a fairly good account of the various political changes that have taken place since independence in 1960 to the late 1990's. For me, a Nigerian born and raised in Britain without easy access to Nigerian history, this book is useful. This book made me feel emotional at times particularly when it confronted the suffering of my own people. My only criticism is the lack of information on the 'political vacuum' of Nigeria just after independence. And more could have been made of the positive aspects of Nigerian culture and history. I guess it is difficult for a non-African author to truly appreciate certain aspects of our culture.I recommend this book to anyone with a background similar to mine. For a more in-depth and positive account, more books should be consulted.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A great insight
Comment: Insight is important and this book provides an insight to what is possibly one of the most 'important' African countries. Read this to understand what conflicts Africa suffers and the hrashness of the continent. You won't find all the answers but you'll learn alot and that's important.
Customer Rating:
Summary: "A vivid, chilling and down to earth account of Nigeria"
Comment: "A potent, emotionally and provocative narration of one of Africa's greatest nations that has truly fallen. Maier captures the essence of the daily struggle of the ordinary man in Nigeria and looks at how corruption has destroyed the fabric of the Nigerian society.
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