I am looking for an introductory text on the history of Africa or Western Africa. Starting from approx 1700 onwards but especially coverage of the last 50-80 years if possible. A text from the people's perspective would be ideal. Africa is a continent I know woefully little about. I am most interested in workers' history, social conditions, and education.
My first thought was those wonderful "... for Beginners" books that predate "... for Dummies" by 20 or so years. They're definitely from a people's perspective. A WorldCat search yielded just the thing: African History for Beginners, by Herb Boyd (1995). It's "A Writers and Readers documentary comic book," perhaps pitched a little low (a description says it's suitable for middle school and up) for you, but if it's anything like the rest of the books in the series, I think you'll love it. There's also Pan-Africanism for Beginners, from 1992, or of course Get that cutie in commercials, television, films, and videos : breaking your talented child into the entertainment industry : the African-American parents' step-by-step beginners' guide to show business success. (title search: africa* for beginners)
When I searched Google for info on that title, I found a bibliography from Ohio State. It hasn't been updated in three years, but it still looks okay.
You might also look at Columbia University's subject guide.
MORE INFO from Vanessa:
added by Monica:
If an online source would help for an overview, I recommend Wonders of the African World, a site based on the BBC/PBS series by Henry Louis Gates Jr. It's easy to use and perhaps could serve as a sort of encyclopedia to give a context to the modern history.