This review is primarily concerned with Robin Hallett's Africa Since 1875, which, according to publisher's blurb, vividly presents the great movements of modern African history--imperialism, nationalism, and revolution of rising expectations, a new and authoritative general history. To evaluate this exalted claim, reviewer has chosen to compare Hallett's book with wellregarded and widely-used text, Africa Since 1800, by Roland Oliver and Anthony Atmore, first published in 1967. Based on my students' reactions to OliverAtmore book during past three years, it is possible to gauge suitability of Hallett's massive work for classroom use.