The Crippled Giant

Book excerpt: "Crippled Giant is an excellent summary of Nigerian political history. . . . The work is notable for even-handed analysis of both history and theory. The result is an introduction of the highest quality to the study of Nigerian politics." —African Studies Review "Osaghae, an academic with a refreshingly neutral and understated approach to the maddening follies of his government, has produced a highly readable overview of Nigeria's politics, economy, and foreign relations. Rich in detail, his account is also a useful tour of earlier thematic treatments of the subject." —Foreign Affairs " . . . well-written, coherent narrative and thoughtful, balanced analysis of Nigeria's political history from 1960 to 1996." —A. H. M. Kirk-Greene, St. Antony's College, Oxford Eghosa Osaghae's study leads him to the conclusion that Nigeria's problems are not of recent making but can be traced to structural impediments from colonial times.