Marc Ferro’s Colonization: A Global History is a wide-ranging comparative account of one of the most significant themes in recent history. Uniquely, Ferro considers European, Japanese, Turkish and Arab colonization. He emphasizes excolonial views, and does not subscribe to the orthodox view that the history of colonization is necessarily followed by the history of the struggle of the people for their independence. He examines the impact on decolonization of other factors, such as globalization.

Colonization: A Global History is also unusual in giving prominence to the social and cultural dimensions of colonialism. Ferro analyses the new types of societies and economies brought about by colonization. He considers, for example, the impact of colonization in areas such as education and medicine.

Ferro’s richly textured overview offers a stimulating range of perspectives on a topic of considerable significance. It will be of interest to those researching and studying all aspects of colonization and decolonization.