HUNESCO's General History of Africa (Volume 8) studies the period from 1935 to the present day. It traces the political, economic and cultural evolution of the continent as it gradually frees itself from the colonial yoke. For Africa, 1935 marked the start of World War II, with the invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini. The world conflict dominates the first part of this volume, which describes the consequences of the crisis in the Horn of Africa, North Africa and other regions under the domination of European powers. The next three chapters deal with the continent-wide struggles for political sovereignty, from 1945 to independence, underdevelopment and the struggle for economic independence and, finally, the evolution of structures and political values linked to the building of national states. The fifth part deals with the socio-cultural changes that have occurred since 1935, with regard to religion, literature, language, philosophy, science and even education. The last two parts deal with the emergence of Pan-Africanism and the role of independent Africa in world affairs. While acknowledging that it is paradoxically to European imperialism that we owe the awakening of African consciousness, the volume highlights the vital and increasingly close interactions between Africa and the rest of the world.