Africa Books

This book is not only a great reference for studying forgiveness and conflict resolution, as other reviewers have suggested, but also for anyone looking for an understanding of apartheid and post-apartheid in South Africa. I purchased this book as a student of human rights law, and found it incredibly helpful in detailing background and implementation of such law in South Africa. A good choice for a student or for entertainment.

Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela is a remarkable human being. I am awestruck by her depth of soul. She puts so many of us to shame. I hope I can learn at least a little of her understanding and compassion.

This is one of the most powerful books I've read on the power of forgiveness and what it means to be human. I highly, highly recommend it.

It's a pity more of our current political leaders aren't reading books such as this one. Forgiveness, open hearts, the space to grow - how can this be anything but good? I heard Gobodo-Madikizela on NPR, inspiring me to read her book. It's amazing. I'd recommend it highly.

I was extremely fortunate to hear Ms. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela present her book on booktv on December 7, 2003. I strongly urge you who are reading this amazon comment to seek her out and go to listen to her if she is speaking anywhere near your area. Read this book by one of the world's most remarkable women and a true seeker of peace. Judge Albie Sachs also spoke in conjunction with Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela's book presentation and I would encourage the reader to seek him out as well. These two are truly exceptional human beings.

BOOKTV description of the presentation:
A Human Being Died That Night: A South African Story of Forgiveness
from March 9, 2003
From John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, South African activist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela discusses her book "A Human Being Died That Night." A psychologist, Ms. Gobodo-Madikizela had many conversations with Eugene de Kock, the former commanding officer of the apartheid police squads. De Koch, whose nicknames include "Dr. Death" and "Prime Evil," is currently serving 212 years in prison for crimes against humanity. Much of the book is set during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings, during which both the perpetrators and their victims were given the right to be heard. Ms. Gobodo-Madikizela suggests that the TRC hearings may not have produced complete reconciliation, but the validation the victims received and the absolution they subsequently offered was therapeutic and necessary for the creation of the new democracy. Albie Sachs, a judge with the Constitutional Court of South Africa joins Ms. Gobodo-Madikizela. This program is hosted by Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit educational organization that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to teaching history by relating it to the daily experiences of the students.

An excellent book with some marvellous photographs. After all those years in Savuti I would have thought that they perhaps would have had a greater understanding on the politics of lions and hunting? I spent twenty seven years there, I can remember an Africa with a lot more Cheethas, Leopards and other cats, in the days before "everyone wants to see a lion". Now the over population of Lions is having adverse effects on the other predatory cats. Well, Lions is their passion, so theyre understandably biased, but all in all - a great deal of effort and hard work has gone in to producing an otherwise very enjoyable book

Simply the most passionate book on wildlife, this one in a million work trully complements the Jouberts' films on the Savuti plains, and only makes you dream even more about that magical place. A must read for all wildlife lovers.

This book is a joy to browse through, to read and to admire the photographs. Every page shows the author's passion towards the lions of Savuti, a magical and wild place in Northern Botswana. Derek and Beverly Joubert spend years in that place filming and photographing lions and other denizens of this wilderness. The book is proliferated with exceptional photographs of lions interacting with other animals. We see lions hunting, resting, playing and communicating with each other. There is a series of unique photographs portraying lions killing an elephant calf. There is a great photograph of a running lioness during a hunt, an aerial photograph of a running buffalo herd. I can go on and on. You get the drift. The text is interesting and at times seems almost poetic. "Hunting with the Moon" is one of a few must-have books for a true lover of African wildlife. In other words, great book!

No nature video collection is complete without at least two or three of the Joubert's works on the wildlife of Botswana, and this book complements their video work wonderfully.

The major focus of their work has been the elephants and lions of Botswana, but the book is a good overall view of the wildlife of the Savuti area. Fans of the videos will enjoy the memories they share, such as their agonizing but ultimately correct decision to let Tau the cub fend for himself and the day they gave Ntchwaidumela his name.

It is not always an easy read. Their subjects have not always fared well - in particular they painfully inform us that all but one of the adult male lions in their study group, including the five who starred in their two lion movies, have since been killed by hunters. Their annotated field notes, "The African Diaries", also in print, is largely about how this situation has forced them to take time away from behind the camera to be active in politics.

But this work is largely about happier days and the making of some classic videos. The still photographs within make this book worthy of becoming a classic itself.

This book is one of the best I have ever read.Extremely detailed and imformative,with excellent photography,I read it from cover to cover,every single word,without putting it down once! But then again, lions are my passion,so I suppose I'm slightly bias. For anyone even remotely interested in wildlife,this book is a must. No bookshelf is complete without it. Hunting With The Moon has some clear messages.How much longer can we tolerate the shooting of prime adult male lions for sport?For every male lion shot,effectively between 5 and 14 lions actually die.I personally think this is terrible,and I am glad people such as Dereck and Beverly Joubert make it their business to do something about it.

I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin and I love reading this story to my daughter to help her learn what Benin is like. The lesson the story teaches is so true to village life in Benin where everyone looks out for everyone. The pictues are beautiful and amazingly detailed depicting even the smallest details of the typical southern Beninese market including many of the typical prodcuts sold there such as Omo soap.

I simply adore this book. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo (next door to Benin) and my daughter enjoys hearing my stories about Africa. We both love this book. The illustrations are a beautiful, astoundingly realistic depiction of life "au village". The story is sweet and entirely plausible. The title almost turned me off from the book but I'm sure glad it didn't.

It Takes a Village is an excellent resource for teachers.
The characters and setting are wonderful, the use of color
and pattern on the characters clothes is fun. I teach kindergarten and substitute K-6. I have yet to teach a class of any age that doesn't enjoy the book.
A must have for the classroom!

It Takes A Village is the well-crafted story of Yeis who joins her mother for market day. She's been entrusted to watch after her little brother Kokou and is quite proud of her responsibility, so she heads off with her brother. Departing, she shares news that she's watching her brother all alone. Knowingly, her mother smiles...moments later Kokou is separated from Yemi and she searches through the marketplace worrying over his safety.

Not only has Cowen-Fletcher given us a moving story, but it is complemented well by her beautiful colored pencils with watercolor washes. They bring out the importance of community and the saying "it takes a village to raise a child."

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal...

It Takes A Village is the well-crafted story of Yeis who joins her mother for market day. She's been entrusted to watch after her little brother Kokou and is quite proud of her responsibility, so she heads off with her brother. Departing, she shares news that she's watching her brother all alone. Knowingly, her mother smiles...moments later Kokou is separated from Yemi and she searches through the marketplace worrying over his safety.

Not only has Cowen-Fletcher given us a moving story, but it is complemented well by her beautiful colored pencils with watercolor washes. They bring out the importance of community and the saying "it takes a village to raise a child."

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Forget what I have to say, seeing as how I am far from being a kid. Let me tell you what my 8-yr-old hard-sell granddaughter had to say after I read her the first five sentences, "Really? It says that? Can I read it?"
Then, as she read, "This is great! I never read anything like this."
She carried that book with her, laughing, quoting from it, until she finished it the next day, then started over, more laughter, and then eagerly sharing it with her BFFs. Her review went something like this.
"This guy really knows that it is a kid reading the book..."
"How does he think this stuff up? I love the little girl, the one who can only say 'Who are you?' but everyone loves her so much they know exactly what she means, even if she means 'turn left after this corner'..."
And on and on. She will wear the print off the page with her eyes by the time she is finished with this book.
You can't ask much more from a book that a child love it and wants to share it and gets more from each reading (meaning they are reaching, it's not easy.)

The Meanwhile Adventures is hilarious. My 10 year old son was getting a cramp and tears were rolling down our eyes with the nonsense and wit of this book. The author, who is Irish, suggests you read the glossary so you understand some of the local terms - do it! The definitions are a riot!!!!
You can picture Roddy sitting in front of you, animatedly telling the story - it's a hoot.

My 10 year old daughter, who HATES to read, enjoyed reading the "Meanwhile Adventures", "Rover Saves Christmas", and "The Giggle Treatment". My son, age 8, burned through them quickly too. They quote from the books. The humor is "different", but it is good for kids to read all types of books. Thanks R. Doyle! Write more!

I gave this book to my nine year old daughter for Christmas. She read it in two days and was thrilled to have gotten this as a gift.

"Who are you?" "Batteries included." I hope you have time to read this book because you will never put it down.

The Meanwhile Adventures is a funny , but exciting story. This book takes you to a silly family that does some amusing things.

The message is that a funny family like this can be a little bit of trouble sometimes.

I think this book is one of the funniest stories Roddy Doyle has ever written.

Angel of hope was the first book I've read by Lurlene Mcdaniel. I have too admit it was a pretty good book. I didn't even know there was a companion to this book until i seen it on amazon. Then i started reading a bunch of Lurlene Mcdaniel books. I'm mostly hooked on the one last wish novels. I only recently got angel of hope. And it was great. Even though i cried a lot. I would highly recommend any books by Lurlene Mcdaniel.

This has got to be one of the most inspirational, sweet, wonderful books ever. It makes me want to join Peace Corp, as I'm in the process of doing right now. Read it if you feel aimless (this, and the Bible, of course :) Read this book!!!

I have read many books but I have to say this my absolute favorite, including the 23 other Lurlene McDaniel books I've read. I couldn't put it down! It was very inspirational. My friends(who also read the book) and I plan on going on a mission trip after we finish school, but the thought would probably never have crossed our minds without first reading this book.

When I first brought this book, I berely had time to read it with all the work I had to do, once I had free time I began to read it and I just couldn't put it down. I thought this is very inspirational and the ending was so touching because you got to know these characters very well throughout the story. You will know what I am talking about if you read the book. After I complete the book, I just want to read it even more... I don't want it to end. All of Lurlene's books are the same, she is my favorite author and I've read most of her books already. I definitely recommend reading this one, its one of my favorites!

Lurelene McDaniel should be very proud of all the wonderful books she has written. I loved the Journey of Hope books. I have read them many times because they are such an inspiration. If you are looking for a great book you should read this one.

I am a solo female traveler who has just spent three months in East Africa. Every traveler I met had this guide. I agree that it is the 'bible' of east africa. Travelling to this area you don't have much of a choice of travel guides and this gives good information on all the little villages, how to get around, how to survive a matatu.... all the visa infomation, cultural information.... everything you need to have an awesome trip.

I also recommend getting the Trekking East Africa guide if you plan on doing any trekking. It goes more in depth then just the East Africa guide and if you find yourself on a mountain you will want a detailed map, which the East Africa guide lacks.

I just did a trip to Kenya and Tanzania (Fall '04), and this book was invaluable! Everything was described in great detail - where to go, how much to pay, what route to take - which is great information when a mob of 20 taxi drivers is trying to wisk you in every direction!
This is definitely the book to have for this part of the world!
Happy Travels!

There are many places in the world you can travel to without a Lonly Planet. East Africa is not part of that. East Africa is no doubt one of the most beautiful parts of the world but travelling and getting around here is not easy at all and has many "dangers" one should be aware of.

There are many ways to do it. You can go on an all organised expensive safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Even then I would think you would like to see some of the places outside the parks like Nairobi or Arusha.

The best way to do it is to travel by yourself. I have done it a couple of times now and find that all the organization by travel agents does not make up for the flexibility you have when you do it yourself. I have been in bad weather conditions necessitating an immediate change of plans. I have been so overwhelmed by the beauty of the Serengeti that I decided on the spot to stay longer. I have been so disgusted by some hotels I prebooked that I decided instantly to look for another one.

This book gives excellent and absolutely necessary guidance to do so. The getting around sections are good and up to date and, believe me, without it you will not find your way out of, e.g.Arusha on a bus to Nairobi. Local assistance is difficult to find.

Booking hotels in countries like Tanzania is not like we are used in the rest of the world. In most of the parks you have one or two lodges and if they are full you are outside; not a nice pprospect when you are right in the middle of the animals. The pricing information is fair and, again, you have to do some planning given the huge differences in prices between hotels.If you plan to stay in the Rhino lodge in the Ngorogoro Crater and the only open one is the Sopa, it will set you back at least an additional $100.

All the "facts for visitors" in particular the medical sections are good and should be read carefully. They can keep you from very annoying situations.

The safari sections are good and provide an abundance of companies you can organise your own tours with. They can be checked out in advance. The best way to do it however, if you have time, is to spend a few days in Nairobi or Arusha and compare the offers of the various companies and talk to the owners to see what they provide. You will be amazed how good and cheap these local operators are. A further advantage is that they go off the beaten track, so that you are not having a situation where eleven Volkswagen busses are in a circle around a sleeping lion.

For those reallly into it, try out camping in the Serengeti or Arusha. You will find yourself one with nature and, allthough there are no fences and you should keep a good fire going, relatively safe.

For those less adventurous and on a more tight schedule, the Guide still contains such a wealth of information and little sections on 'nice to knows' that it is well worth the investment.

If I would be allowed to advise I would prefer the Tanzanian side to the Kenyan side for going on safari. It is definitely more beautiful ond not half as busy.

Finally, I will never forget the images I took away from this part of the world. Cheeta's running through the grasslands in chase of prey. Lion mothers tending their cubs, the vast herds of wildebeest, the zebra's, giraffes peeping curiously through the leaves at your car and the wonderful sunsets sitting at a campfire and reflecting and the beauty of creation.

I hope you will enjoy your trip.

I recently spent 3 months traveling and working in East Africa, and found the LP guide to be a great help. I selected the regional guide because I would be traveling in several countries, and I banked on the fact that it would give enough detail on each one. Even though it clearly doesn't give as much detail as the individual country guidebooks, it definitely gave enough to send me in the right direction, always with accurate maps, phone numbers, prices, etc. in hand. One word of caution, the Rwanda and Burundi chapters are tiny. They give you a good start, but if you're seriously thinking of going to either of these countries, you need much more than this guide can offer.

I did appreciate that the authors were honest about the fact that there are many different possible itineraries in the region, and they try to help you choose one for yourself rather than feeding a list of "must-sees" to you. In addition, the chapters on safaris are quite honest when they advise travelers to investigate things for themselves; the only way to select a low- or medium-budget safari is to do some legwork yourself.

All in all, a great book! A must-have for any independent traveler to East Africa!

I think this book has to referred to as The Bible by anyone who has been to East Africa. Great for helping you get around the area. If you are working there like I was it is great for helping you figure out weekend excursions. Assume that the prices aren't exaclty right, especially since you can pretty much negotiate a price for anything anywhere down there. Don't worry about taking other books just get this one and you are set. Have fun in East Africa!

Finally the book to popularize Yoruba culture has arrived! A MUST for any serious santero or babalawo, this is the New Testament of Santeria to Migene Gonzalez-Wippler's Old. Told by a master storyteller, this book explains traditional Yoruba society better than any dry text could. One learns through the eyes of the author as a child what polygamy is really like, about obscure herbs/ebbos, and how the language is really spoken. Buy it now.

Toyin Falola's "A Mouth Sweeter than Salt" is a memoir of the first 13 years of his life in Nigeria. Readers will find a fascinating account of his upbringing in an extended family which was Christian, but polygamous, influenced by English colonialism, but more by Yoruba tribal traditions. Fascinated by trains, he recklessly boarded one as an adventurous youth and found himself stranded in a far-away Muslim city, where he supported himself as a "stick-man" guiding a beggar who faked blindness. Returned to his family by benevolent postal workers, he subsequently aided his grandfather in trying - unsuccessfully - to combat the abuse of a poor farmer by corrupt and exploitive tribal leaders. All in all, this book affords insights into African childhood which will absorb the interest of anyone previously familiar only with American or European experience.

I just finished reading the masterpiece, A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt:An African Memoir, Toyin Falola, University of Michigan Press, 2004. This book is truly brilliant. It made me laugh, scream, and cringe. It is a superb combination of critical African oral discourse, brilliant analysis of modern African history, and lucid exploration of the making of the Nigerian state. I hope you will obtain your own copy and recommend it to others.

Olufemi Vaughan
Professor of African Studies & of History
Associate Dean, Graduate School
SUNY, Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4433

Falola's memoir, A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt, is a "must read" for anyone seeking to gain deeper and serious insights into the mind of the true African child. The author gives the reader a breath taking, bird eye view of the cultural panorama of the Yoruba society, and the implications of growing up in its most complicated and sophisticated city of Ibadan. The uniqueness of this book lies in its ability to transcend academic and cultural boundaries. It is as good a history book as it is a novel; social scientists will find it valuable and educators will find it to be of great relavance. It is a story of life and of living. It is indeed a celebration of youth and its rites of passage. Humor, wit, and readability add color and lucidity to all pages of this book. Wild, weird, wide, and even scary at times, this is a memoir that will stand the test of time.

Growing up in Nigeria in the years around independence provides good material for a personal memoir. These must have been extraordinary times, full of hope and expectation for the emerging new country. For a growing teenager though, the issues were closer to home. Falola, well known scholar of African history, has used his personal experiences to create a rich innovative kind of memoir that combines his growing up during that time with events in his community and the country as a whole. The resulting book gives the reader vivid insight into a complex society with its intricate traditions, in particular those of the Yoruba culture. Falola writes an easy accessible style, often addressing the reader directly. He demonstrates his narrative skill and an ability to impart local events with gracefulness and humour. He demonstrates how the use of proverbs, idioms and traditional imagery has remained part of everyday discourse by interweaving sayings into his narrative. "A proverb is regarded as the 'horse' that carries words to a different level, investing them with meanings...".

Falola's account suggests that he was already at the age of 10 a curious youngster and an astute observer of people, relationships and events. His early fascination with trains led him to experiences beyond his age level that were to influence his standing in his family and community. After an unplanned train ride and its aftermath, that created upheaval in the family, he was transplanted to another branch of his family in a more rural sector of Ibadan, the city-state in Nigeria's south-western region. Not having taken notice of the hierarchical structure of his polygamous family, he realized only then which of his "mothers" is his birth mother. There he also learned to connect with the rich traditions of the local people who have maintained much closer links to their past than those in the urban centre. For example, children are given an additional name by the family, a praise name (oriki). This name should establish a link to a real or imaginary hero of the past. Such names should enhance the young person's deep character and his ambition to emulate the past bearer. Like a young detective he tracks an old woman, different from any he had seen in the neighbourhood. When he is finally confronted by her, the outcomes are an important lesson for his life and future. These early influences shape his thinking into his adult life.

While the chapters stand as independent stories or essays, they flow together easily as a portrait of a person in his time and place. He merges the memories of his childhood with his comprehension of circumstances as an adult. Understanding of his roots and the culture instilled in him led him to study the cultural traditions of the Yoruba people and the history of the land. His reflections on how the two religions, Islam and Christianity managed to co-exist with the rich African traditions are as pertinent today as they were during the sixties. So is his criticism of the trend among the younger generation to denigrate their own culture in the face of western influences. [Friederike Knabe]

This is a very thorough, entertaining, and informative treatment of the subject of mummies. Illustrations in the book were inspired by ancient Egyptian art. This is a great book to supplement any elemenatary study of Egypt.

I think the Aliki book explains the true reality of the ancient Egyptains beliefs. I am actually writing this because I was scared of the book. I wouldn't recommend showing this to a child without telling them what to expect. The book explains about the belief involving the many gods (Osiris, Anubis, and Isis are a few) I don't want any child to be scared of the culture, but who would know?

Kids love mummies, and mine are no exception. As Aliki (the book's author/illustrator) says, "A mummy is a mystery-hidden in layers of ancient bandage, bedecked with priceless jewels." We read Mummies Made in Egypt as part of our Egyptian study when our children were 7, 10 and 11. The back cover (accurately) says the book is written for ages 8 to 12. I have to admit I loved this book as much as my children and learned a lot from it. What's great, as another reviewer has pointed out, is that it's not morbid in any way. It presents the facts, clearly and simply, accompanied by equally simple and clear illustrations. Is there a better children's illustrator than Aliki?

What a great book! The author gives really interesting information regarding mummies and how they're made. The illustrations are good too. I liked that the whole book was illustrated without real pictures of mummies as it creeps out my daughter! A great overview of the process the Egyptian priests used to mummify a person.

I must have checked it out a hundred times as a child when I was in elementary school. It is written in a beautiful and colourful comic book form. Yet is also very informitive and filled with interesting information. It gave me a fascination for mummies and ancient cultures that has lasted my whole life. Even the sensitive details are presented in a clinical, illuminating light. I would recommend this to some one of any age who has an interest in or mummies ancient egypt in general.

I thought the Myths that Divide Us, was a very good book, and I learned things that I never knew. I had never even heard of the Rev. Sharpton situation until reading about it in this book or about John Thompson, thinking that it was racism that athlete's have to have a certain test score to play sports. Like, I said, I learned a lot from reading this book and I think other's would too, if they gave the book a chance, even if you don't agree. One good lesson, I got from the book is two wrongs don't make a right.

This was one of the most upsetting books I've ever read. There were chapters that moved me to tears. Truth can be bitter but it really does set you free. I learned more about Africa from Mr.Perazo's book than I did from 4 years of Black Studies in college. The majority of the book contends that race relations are as bad as they are because certain people profit by keeping us divided. It was a powerfull book and it left me with much to think about. It's not for kids but it ought to be a required text for college students.

This book is a welcome addition to the mountain of expository evidence, which depicts the cupidity and disingenuousness in which the civil rights industry is awash.

This book is surely one giant step toward the inevitable awakening of America. An awakening that will cause the entire world to condemn the narrow-mindedness and self-interest of all race hustlers, particularly the well known intellectual Lilliputians: Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. The author points out the double standards of the civil rights industry whose very existence depends on pointing out racism everywhere, even when it isn't there. Perazzo exposes the hypocites with well researched facts and statistics illustrated with anecdotes.

This book harmonizes with Jared Taylor's books: "The Real American Dilemma" and "Paved With Good Intentions" et al, as isolated voices become a chorus demanding truth and reason in discussions of race.

This book should be read by everyone concerned with the future of America.

This book should be read twice, twice by everyone in Academe and in the media.

This is an excellent book. In it, John Perazzo examines, chapter by chapter, some of the common myths and sociological fables that continue to separate parts of the US populace today. Perhaps his most valuable contribution is showing how so-called leaders such as Jackson and Sharpton have twisted reality to suit their own ends. To me, the most compelling and honest part of the book looked at the myth of race in the United States. US blacks are clearly the most privileged people on earth, yet vicious racists such as Kwesei Mfume, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Carol Moseley-Brown continue to perpetuate groundless black grievance, hatred, and jealousy towards our larger society. This stands in direct contradiction to the tremendous achievements of many, many blacks, who are now predominantly members of the US middle-class. Perazzo correctly and explicitly points out (in Chapters 3 - 7) that a comparative handful of vicious racial hypocrites (Jackson, Sharpton, et al) distort and hinder (the "myths" in the title of the book) what ought to be an honest, helpful conversation on society in America today. As a black man, I feel privileged to live in the United States, and don't understand why anyone could possibly complain about how we've been treated here when we compare it to the horrid, brutal life common throughout Africa these days. Perazzo has authored an impressive appeal for us all to set aside the people who wish to gain by anger and bitterness, and he wants us all to work together for a common good. This is a great book - I'd highly recommend it. His extensive foot-noting and meticulous research make it a valuable text for those of us who want to help all Americans move forward peacefully and with our due intelligence. Buy it today at Amazon.com and pass it on to a friend.

"John Perazzo, must be some kind of a kook," I thought as I began to read. Why even attempt to write a book that would overturn everything that was general knowledge about race in America? However, far from being a kook Perazzo is an able writer that proves his points.
The Myths That Divide Us, if read by enough people might just unite us. The arguments, historical facts, and emotionally powerful story, lead to what should be an unavoidable conclusion to any reasonable mind, which is that the vast bulk of the racial divide in America is based on a series of lies generated by Americans that call themselves civil-rights leaders but are really just selfish unscrupulous people out to line their own pockets. This book is one of the very few books on social justice that can make a difference.

No Place Left to Bury the Dead is one of the best books that I have ever read. The author, Nicole Itano, beautifully tells the story how HIV/AIDS affects the lives of three families in three different African counties. The author also brilliantly weaves in the history of the pandemic and its spread not only in Africa but throughout the world. The book explores several cultural,social and public health aspects of AIDS in Africa that I feel are often overlook in our Western view of the world. This book made me smile, it made me angry and it made me cry. It refined my view of the AIDS pandemic and opened my heart with a new found compassion. I could not put the book down. I true MUST read.No Place Left to Bury the Dead: Denial, Despair and Hope in the African AIDS Pandemic

Ms. Itano's work makes the complex challenge that HIV/AIDS poses to southern Africa and the world at large understandable to the lay reader. She blends personal stories with lessons on history, culture, and medicine, making AIDS personal for her readers. Her characters are compelling, and her personal relationship to and concern for them is evident. I'm looking forward to her next book.

I visited South Africa in 2006 so I feel this book is very relevant to my experiences there. If you want to learn about truth and suffering, and step back into reality, this is the book that will help you do that. There is truly no place left to bury the dead in South Africa.

I am amazed I haven't heard more buzz about this book ... it's a great book and I'm so happy I read it. But it's not the happiest of subject matters obviously.

Despite the No Place Left to Bury the Dead title, this book details the struggles people, particularly women, LIVING with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa experience.

HIV/AIDS in Africa is no longer an automatic death sentence but there are too few people getting HIV/AIDS tests, too much stigma and far too many people are not getting the treatment they need due to a number of issues including money, lack of knowledge, stigma and most importantly lack of a proper health care infrastructure.

It may frustrate the reader that the book doesn't have an official ending or happy notes on the book's main characters ... but I guess that's reality unfortunately.

Buy this book!

Pamela Appea

Itano's extraordinarily personal reporting and the powerful narrative it produced makes this book seem like a movie on paper. You have the sense that one day you'll see characters like Rich Uncle Isaacs, Adeline, and Bongy come to life on the silver screen. It packs a powerful emotional wallop and brings Africa to life in all its amazing colors. Could easily be the next Constant Gardener.