A TIME OF TROUBLES

Itan - Legends of the Golden Age, Book Two

by Oladele Olusanya

Formats

Softcover

$19.99

Hardcover

$29.99

E-Book

$3.99

Softcover

$19.99

Other Books By Author

Gods and Heroes

Oladele Olusanya

$19.99

A New Age

Oladele Olusanya

$23.99

Book Details

Language : English

Publication Date : 7/31/2019

Format : Softcover

Dimensions : 6x9

Page Count : 384

ISBN : 9781796049466

Format : Hardcover

Dimensions : 6x9

Page Count : 384

ISBN : 9781796049473

Format : E-Book

Dimensions : N/A

Page Count : 384

ISBN : 9781796049459

About the Book

A TIME OF TROUBLES descends on Yorubaland. Set in motion by the collapse of the old Oyo Empire, a hundred years of discord unfolds. It is a time of mayhem, social upheaval and slave raids as the Yoruba city-states are torn apart by fratricidal war. Warlords such as Oluyole, Ogunmola, Kurunmi and Ogedengbe, with their ‘war-boys,’ achieve power and infamy in their various theaters of war from Owu and Ijaiye to Kiriji. Caught up in the chaos are the author’s forebears, the Warrior from Ife, his son Solesi, the war-boy who came back home from capture and exile, and Baba Mamu who, tiring of war, takes solace in his cocoa farm. The story culminates in the bloody defeat of the Ijebus at Imagbon and the imposition of British rule over Yorubaland.

About the Author

Oladele Olusanya was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. Educated at the University of Ibadan medical school, the United Kingdom and the United States, he is an accomplished artist, poet, music enthusiast and a passionate advocate of the revival of the history and culture of his Yoruba people. He lives in Dallas, Texas, where he takes time off from writing to run a busy medical practice. Olusanya is the recipient of the 2018 O’odua Image Award.

Customer Reviews

A TIME OF TROUBLES A review by Dominic Jones, avante-garde film-maker, Dallas Oladele Olusanya’s A TIME OF TROUBLES: BOOK 2 OF THE ‘LEGENDS OF THE GOLDEN AGE’ TRILOGY is an extraordinary continuation of the stories, myths and legendary characters introduced in Book 1: GODS AND HEROES. Dr. Olusanya weaves a narrative of suspense, love, and loss that is befitting of an epic tale, while his style of prose remains accessible and relatable for readers of all backgrounds. Dr. Olusanya has taken a bold creative license in the re-telling of the history of Yorubaland in his ’Itan – legends of the golden age’ trilogy, and what he has given us in Book 2, A Time of Troubles, is a legacy of beauty, endurance, and triumph.

Dominic Jones
This is an excellent book on Yoruba mythology, the author tells a wonderfully written epic story of the Yoruba people in the 19th century. I recommend this book to everyone interested in West African history, mythology, heroism, and epic adventures.

Olu
This is an excellent book on Yoruba mythology, the author tells a wonderfully written epic story of the Yoruba people in the 19th century. I recommend this book to those interested in West African history, mythology, heroism, and epic adventures.

Olu
A wonderful continuation from the also excellent Gods and Heroes. This novel is a must read for anyone interested in African History or African Myths and Legends.

Olaide Olusanya
This is an excellent historical novel which continues the magnificent story of the Yoruba people started in ‘Gods and heroes’

Del Theo
A well written novel in the finest tradition of Yoruba storytelling

Olatokunbo Olusanya
Well written book ,a great reflection of the yorubas.

Lanre Glover
Well written historical piece. Further documentation of the yorubas

Dr Lanre Glover
This is a fantastic Yoruba history of those dark ages in Africa, when you start reading, very hard to do any other thing you needed to do. A very nice piece from the author, Dr. Dele Olusanya, who combined his medical works with excellent writings

Odedina Muyiwa
Master Piece. How timely can this magnificent authorship of of "TIME OF TROUBLE" YORUBA PEOPLE IN NIGERIA ARE CURRENTLY LAMENTING THAT WE ARE TROUBLE AT THIS TIME. THIS BOOK IS VERY INSTRUCTIVE AND INSPIRING TO IT'S READERS I RECOMMEND TO ALL YORUBA AGE GROUP. IT'S AMUST FOR ALL LEVEL OF EDUCATION IN SW NIGERIA. ITS A GLOBAL ASSET TO ALL LIBRARIES.

Kolawole Ayodeke-Oja
Good book

Ashwani Agarwal
Historical drama of epic proportions. A must-read for everyone interested in the life and story of the African, especially the Yoruba. Gripping. Beautifully written

Femi Olugbile
This is a well written book which captures the essence of Yoruba culture. It is well narrated and fun to read. I recommend it for anyone interested in African history.

Gbenga Olusanya
Another excellent feat by Dr. Oladele Olusanya. Few people in this generation have as much grasp of Yoruba history and culture which are prerequisites for a captivating novel of this type, as type. The doctor novelist has again, through this combination of historical facts and a generous dose of imagination touched on one of the darkest periods in Yorubaland. It must be stated that just like its predecessor, certain level of circuspection is required by the reader. Although several of the characters were part of the turbulent period in Yoruba land covered by the novel some other significan actors such as Fabunmi of Okemesi who actually started Ekitiparapo or Kiriji war and Oluborode who were far more prominent fighters than Ogedengbe on the side of the Ekiti soldiers were left out. This can be excused since the writer makes no claim to historical accuracy. All the same,readers should be aware of this. All in all, ot is a good read I highly recommend ot to all and sundry.

Dele Awe
Dare Demuren Reviews ‘A Time of Troubles’ by Oladele Olusanya In a “Time of Troubles,” Oladele Olusanya has seamlessly continued the epic story of the Yoruba race from its origin a thousand years before in the Nubian desert as recorded in “Gods and Heroes.” The story commences at a time when the aura surrounding Ile-Ife as the cradle of the Yoruba race, and the indomitable power and influence of the Oyo empire had greatly diminished, supplanted by other towns and settlements ruled by warrior kings and warlords. At the outset, the reader is captivated and transported into the era of the powerful Yoruba obas and warlords, corrupted and intoxicated by filthy lucre obtained from the slave trade, a trade which fuelled interminable internecine wars. This was a time of turbulence and anomy. To the victors, pillaging of property and riches of the conquered, with beautiful maidens ravished by the warlords or gifted to their obas to be kept in their harem as war booty. Less attractive women, strong boys and men were sold into slavery. The weaklings and dependent children were exterminated at time of capture. This was a cruel and unemotional business. The book tells the story of great warriors such as Kurunmi, Ogunmola, Balogun Kuku and Ogedengbe, some of who are still celebrated today. The story of Balogun Kuku of Ijebuland is interesting, a great warrior who turned peacemaker espousing the futility of war. This led to his banishment to Ibadan where he thrived in commerce, but was recalled to Ijebu-Ode after the routing and humiliation of the erstwhile unbeatable Ijebu army by the British colonial army at Imagbon in 1892. This book is a page turner, filled with enigmatic characters, none more so than Odumosu. Odumosu was the Ijebu slave boy, rescued by a British Navy frigate from a Portuguese slave ship and returned to Lagos. By dint of hard work, he learnt to read and write English and then made good in commerce. After a chance meeting with Madam Tinubu, the beautiful and wealthy wife of Oba Adele of Lagos, they went into partnership in the slave trade and made obscene amount of money. Odumosu was smart, a great survivor. When slavery was abolished by the British, he turned and became an advocate for abolition of slavery. He was now feted by the British colonial government and moved in the upper echelons of society. Madam Tinubu refused to stop her involvement in the trade and dared the British. She was a master puppeteer with a lot of clout in business circles and in the palace. The author tells us the story of Lagos, originally called Eko, and how it obtained that name, and names of other landmarks in the town. He narrates the rise and fall of several traditional rulers. Notable amongst these was Oba Kosoko who was a supporter and beneficiary of the slave trade. The trade brought him tremendous wealth. When he refused to desist from involvement in the trade, the British government brought in warships into the Lagos lagoon opposite the palace, with a delegation led ashore by Lieutenant J.P.L. Davies, a black man of Sierra Leonean descent. A few thunderous salvos from the cannons on the warships and Oba Kosoko was deposed. This was the first example of gunboat diplomacy in the colony. It is interesting how Oladele in his inimitable way has woven the story of his family into events of this period, starting from Solaru of Remo, who became a war hero in Ibadan, and his scion Solesi. Solesi was a master drummer and musician, and exponent of the various drums and musical instruments of Yorubaland. His mastery extended to the arcane and esoteric world of the traditional masquerades, the egungun. We see how the traditional religions of the people with several deities were slowly but inexorably supplanted by Christianity and Islam. “A Time of Troubles” is thoroughly captivating and fascinating. The book leads you through a journey into the culture and history of the Yoruba and other peoples of Nigeria as very few writers can. Review written by Dare Demuren, Author of ‘Behind the mask’ and other novels, March 2019.

Dare Demuren

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