Africa Books

This book is useful to anyone interested in understanding the connection between biodiversity and food-security in Sub-Saharan Africa. I was pleasantly surprised by the book.

"Africa has answers to its food deficits and its food insecurity." This remarkable sentence, free of the condescension of so much written about Africa, is backed up by history and current practice in this book. Examples of indigenous farmers sharing and protecting their seed diversity are examined beside the continuing interference and attempted global control of their lands' commodities by giant corporate agribusiness. With wisdom and hope, the story of the farmers' integrity and their capability of solving the problems globalization has created become accessible in this book and, quite simply, a revelation.

> If you do, then read this complex, but excellent academic work (co-authored by Andrew Muchita and Carol B. Thompson), for it is
> vital for their, and our, future.
>
> Totally geared to huge, immediate profit from the ballooning market (resulting
> from the -purposely uncontrolled- population explosion), backed by millions of
> dollars, and by the corrupt governments they control, the multi-national
> corporations have been destroying the biodiversity of our crops, trying to
> create instant super yields. This has been done without any regard to the
> effects it is creating for future generations and has resulted in the fact
> that the monoculture of industrial agriculture has, for instance, reduced our
> biodiversity to only 12 plants providing 75 percent of industrialized food,.
> making us sitting ducks for a worldwide, modern day "Irish Potato Famine" of
> mega proportions.
>
> So far the corporate bio-pirates have focused on the West and Asia, and have
> ignored Africa and African farmers; farmers who for generations have known
> every inch of their soil, freely exchanging seeds, creating a huge
> reservoir of potent organic biodiversity. Now, however, the fast buck boys
> and their patent attorneys have set their sights on this diverse continent
> ready to resume their agricultural rape. This book explains in fine detail
> the who, what, where, when and how, and that it is up to us to stop them
> now, if we at all care for our future survival.
>
> T. van Renterghem,
> author, researcher, historian

This book hopefully represents a new genre of social critique because it bridges multiple fields in an effortlessly readable manner. Connecting contemporary concerns about the environment, corporate malfeasance, economic and social justice and local and international acts resistance, this book will undoubtedly be used by specialists, but more importantly, it should be read by countless others who simply want to understand our world.

Authors Andrew Mushita, the Director of the Community Technology Development Trust in Zimbabwe, and Carol Thompson, a Professor of Political Economy, link the environmental and global justice crises down to one essential component---the seed. Their book focuses largely on the southern African region and the current global corporations who are stealing seeds, genetically modifying them and then claiming private ownership of such seed through intellectual property rights. The brilliance of the book is that by focusing on southern Africa and seed, their story is both specific and yet sadly easy to extrapolate to others parts of the world. Interlaced with chapters about the history of past `biopiracy' from the conquest in Mesoamerica to land reform attempts in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, the book also outlines real successes wrested from WTO by savvy coalitions of African and Indian scientists and diplomats in their attempt to maintain the integrity of original seed stocks.

It's a bracing book. Carefully researched (footnotes are thoughtfully lodged at the end of each chapter) and a goldmine of data-- yet the authors are doing what Jared Diamond (Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse) did for history, in terms of taking a complex subject formerly the preserve of academic study and rendering it in popular prose. And by tackling the 21st century, on-going problem of Biopiracy of Biodiversity in southern Africa, reading this book is arguably even more pressing.

It is always interesting to hear 'the other side of the story'. This account of the Boer War is informative yet very personal. It is one of those books that most will find difficult to set down before it is finished.

The author had a most incredible life which is doccumented in Commando and two subsequent books. The adventures are so amazing that, in the preface, Jan Smuts is compelled to comment upon the truthfulness of the account. The book provides insight into the Boer culture and a turn of the century concept: honor.

It is always interesting to hear 'the other side of the story'. This account of the Boer War is informative yet very personal. It is one of those books that most will find difficult to set down before it is finished.

The author had a most incredible life which is doccumented in Commando and two subsequent books. The adventures are so amazing that, in the preface, Jan Smuts is compelled to comment upon the truthfulness of the account. The book provides insight into the Boer culture and a turn of the century concept: honor.

This is an incredible story of the adventures that a young commando endured during the boer wars. The narrow escapes, the victories, the defeats and the struggle to keep up the fight make this a must read for anyone interested in the Boer War. If there is one book to read on the subject this is it!

The memoirs of a soldier in the unsuccesfull war of independence that the Transvaal and Free State Republics in Southern Africa fought against the British Empire at the turn of the century. Reitz wrote the book in exile and left it for 20 years, then took out the emotion and bitterness and was left with a well structured, intelligent memoir that reads like the best fiction. His account of this guerilla war against the British empire can loosly be compared with Chickenhawk, Robert Mason's equally gripping memoir of the Viet Nam war

I have lived and traveled in Africa a great deal. I recently acquired a copy of Maria Petringa's book
on Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a fascinating man. This book would make a great movie and I would hope somebody in the industry would pick it up and do just that. It is a good book and I highly recommend reading it. Pat Clark

I took the book along on a short rest and relaxation trip, which was all the more enjoyable because of the time I spent on the Brazza adventure. I knew that the story of Brazza's Central Africa explorations would be interesting but Maria Petringa's excellent account of the man and his mission was engaging and a delightful reading experience.

As I enjoy reading historic accounts of charismatic figures who blaze trails, both geographically and politically, I found Maria Petringa's book highly informative and very entertaining. It is also relevant to the volatility of today's geopolitical climate.

This biography of Pierre de Brazza gives us an inspiring portrait of a very good man in a very bad time, the age of European colonialism in Africa. Brazza, who explored and administered French Equatorial Africa at the end of the 19th century, tried desperately to civilize the colonialists' treatment of the African natives. He ultimately failed, though his ideals and efforts are inspiring. His failure shows, however, that the "heart of darkness" was not an aberration, that colonial exploitation of Africa was incurably corrupt and cruel, for the French as for the Belgians. Reading this book dispels any lingering sentimentality for this enterprise, provides the reader with a fascinating portrait of an important though (at least in the English-speaking world) largely forgotten man,
and gives us a devastating picture of nineteenth-century imperialism. "Brazza, A Life for Africa" is hard to put down.

The name Jill Lanchbery will be alongside the word "artistic" in my vocabulary after reading this wonderful book.The story of two woman who find their lives interlinked once more takes the reader onto a journey into the colourful world of Nigeria. Lanchbery invites the reader to join her as she writes in such a descriptive and enjoyable way that it is with pure ease and enthusiam that I followed the pages into the unknown. The overall story is touching with clarity and foresight on the authors part. I read the book in a few days using my spare time to "soak up" the "new world" that I discovered within the pages of "A bucket of ashes." Without telling any would be reader the storyline, I would simply suggest you take the time to discover a superb book.

Jill's story follows a fashion deigner, Joanna, on an assignment back to Nigeria, where she lived years before with her husband. Her return visit re-discovers some skeleltons from a cupboard she thought had been closed as she renews a relationship with Marcus, whom she promised not to meet. Throughout the book, Joanna has choices to make in her life and, perhaps, the return to Nigeria brings the options into sharper focus. A gentle story well told. The characters really do come to life.

Jill has conjured up the imagery of Africa with finesse, you can smell Africa, see her colours, hear her sounds. And against this backdrop, we are confronted with tough human emotions and difficult choices. We are given insights into the lifestyle of colonists in Africa, the inherent problems when two cultures are thrown into close proximity, the struggle of families dealing with discord and tragedy, and how all the characters involved handle their varying emotions. The main plot shows us an independent, strong woman learning to come to terms with her past and move on.
It is the type of book that leaves you thinking about it long after you have finished the last page and put the book back onto the bookshelf. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys thoughtful, well-written narrative.

I'd never heard of Jill Lanchbery, but someone passed the book on to me whilst I was climbing the mountains of Southern Spain. The young lady was very attractive and so enthusiastic about the book and I kinda wanted to keep in her good books so decided to flick through the pages that night, purely to have something to talk to her about the next day. (You know how it is guys?) Well, Jill Lanchbery, thank you very much! I eventually fell asleep around 4 the next morning (I think.) and consequently slept through the alarm to wake me for breakfast. I missed my food and a potentially fulfilling day walking with the lovely dark haired beauty Emily. Thanks a lot Jill. Never mind.. I sat overlooking the Med and finished the book by the time Emily arrived back that afternoon. What a gal! Sensational! She pulled at my heartstrings like no other girl I've ever known! Emily was quite nice too!

Butabu is a beautifully designed book. It mainly consists of wonderful photographs of delicate buildings and their details. This book is not only a very attractive picture art book but also a study book on West African culture. The clear text in the second part of the book is followed by an extended list of references. Ineke Freudenthal, The Netherlands.

The architecture of West Africa is beautifully pictured and knowledgeably described in this unusual book. Although the majority of the pictures are in black and white, the essence of this harsh landscape and the buildings constructed to cope with this reality`are beautifully shown. Most of the prominent building types are shown with an emphasis on various mosques.

Stunning. After picture book after picture book on 20th century architecture, this book rocketed me out of the modern Western world and deposited me gently within the expressive caress of this timeless adobe architecture of africa. This is a sort of architecture I have NEVER seen in books before. A genuine addition to the vernacular of modern architecture and possibly, a firefly of inspiration for those of us living in empty hard, static and meaningless shells. How to bring the heart and handiwork back into the technological universe?

The soft folds and highly textured surfaces of Mali mosques, Niger chiefs' houses and other examples of the African adobe vernacular have lured a succession of hippies with a wobbly sense of focus. So it's a delight to see a photographer who has chronicled the sharp-edged structures of Norman Foster and Richard Rogers bring clarity to such a picturesque subject, and to read such an illuminating essay on its cultural roots. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

Although the official "Thumping Good Read" is no longer being given, this book would certainly be an excellent candidate for it. Written by two erudite writers, it is entertaining and informative on many levels.For those who have lived abroad, and experienced the petit miseries that arise, for those who have ever taught,for those who are culturally curious,for those who have been involved with theater,for those who love a good laugh, this book is for you! Enjoy

At a time when most reports from the Middle East are gloomy at best, it is refreshing to read The Cairo Diaries, 2004-2006, by Tom Marcus and Linda Sarver. This is a delightful account of their days in Egypt,
Tom as a member of the theater arts faculty at the American University in Cairo, and Linda as a student of art and architecture. Entertaining and witty, it reflects brilliancy of mind and a spendid sense of humor. Most enriching are reports of the generosity of the Egyptian people, descriptions of weekend travels to areas rich in antiquities, and insights into the minds of the citizens of Cairo and the students at the university. This book makes one want to charter a passage to Egypt. I would recommend taking along a copy of Cairo Diaries to supplement the standard guides.

I'm not a reader of travel books, but on recommendation I dipped into this delightful book and found it wonderful. It's much more than a look at Cairo but offers insights into the Egyptian culture and American expectations. Lots of the books is funny. The narrator is funny, incidents are funny. It's a great read! It's also very current, letting us know what is going on NOW and what the American University is like NOW. Not a bit pedantic, the book is accessible, enjoyable, and informative.

In this lively account of two years spent in Egypt, Tom Markus and his wife Linda Sarver paint a rich and absorbing picture of their daily life in that ancient and still exotic land in a tragically troubled part of the world. Markus is a distinguished professor, theatre director and actor, Sarver an equally accomplished stage designer and it was his two-year appointment at the American University of Cairo that brought them into the Middle East. The juxtaposition of American intellectuals (yes, sophisticated, travelled, and so on but deeply and unself-consciously American) and the folk ways of Cairo provides illumination on both. The details with which the book brims add up to something more than a personal story: the struggles to get a broken window fixed or to discover the way to a dentist's office, to cite two examples, convey more succinctly and flavorfully the "otherness" of the culture (and the region, one is fearful to suppose) than any amount of statistics, dates of battles, elections, etc. And it is written in great good humor and love for the place, the people and the experience. Almost as good as a trip to Cairo itself.

Dr Allgood's pictoral and detailed account of this wonderful journey makes me long to go back to this magical place. Once I picked up the book I could not set it down until I was finished. Then I read it again. His photographers eye captured moments you only dream of. Well done!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and experiencing The Call of Africa. The descriptions of the adventures were so well documented and written with a wonderfully warm, comfortable style. It was like being on safari in bedroom slippers! The excellent photographs brought me right to the Savannah, and the other exotic locals described in this wonderful journey. The photos alone make the book worth getting! I can't wait for the DVD!

This book's gorgeous photographs, combined with the "right in the moment" style of Dr. Allgood's writing, make this a perfect "armchair trip" to Africa! I recommend it to anyone thinking about going there -- it feels as though you have good friends who've come back from their once-in-a-lifetime trip and are now sitting with you sharing amazing stories and pictures. The wildlife photos in particular are spectacular and of professional quality. The stories really make the places come alive -- this is no ordinary 'tour book'. A great gift, too, for anyone who travels, loves animals, etc.

I have long been a fan of Dr. Allgood's photography, he captures the beauty, the essence and a subtext of his subjects, allowing personal interpretation. This book fulfilled my expectations and then some. The easy reading allowed me to be a travel companion with this wonderful couple. I loved the stories that introduced me to some very interesting people and animals, plus added a greater debth of understanding of the africa that he and Sharon enjoyed so much! A journey I will not forget. I recommend this book to anyone contemplating a trip to Africa, it will provide you with descriptions of places you will probably want to visit yourself after reading them. Or, if armchair traveling is what you enjoy most, you will be thrilled with the quality of the photography and text that allows you to put yourself in the authors jeep.

This account of the South African healers is as accurate as you can get! Susan was "chosen" by the traditional healers to share their story with the world and she has done an incredible job. Her interviews and personal stories of Africa make the reader feel like they are in Africa experiencing the adventures with Susan.

The African healers are gifted shamans who serve both rural and city people, working in partnership with Western-trained doctors. I trained with PH Mntshali in Swaziland and met Maseko and others. They all speak highly of Susan and are very proud her. This is a must read!

This book was like taking a trip into Africa and meeting people along the way who although from a compeletly different world than me taught me the amazing truths of my own ancestry.

If you're fortunate enough to read this book, you'll begin to know the author. Her writing style is easy to read because it is so much like her. I read this book in it's first printing from South Africa some years after visiting the author and her family. I was able to visit a healer featured in this book and have a greater appreciation for a healer's art now that I understand more of their journey.

If ever you wondered what the life of a traditional healer REALLY is like, this book will surely give you a looking-glass to see through. The author has an impecible ability to "draw" the reader into learning about sacred ceremonies and traditional healing practices that few westerners would ever have a remote idea of, let alone the close and up-front personal encounters that are made available through these pages. Containing about a dozen or so personal stories of highly gifted healers who were "plucked" out of ordinary lives and pushed by the forces that guided them into being traditional healers, this book presents the reader with incredible real-life stories of being "called to heal."

Definately a one-sitting read, this book has a spirit of its own and truly cannot be put down once it is picked up. The author has an almost hypnotic ability to keep you reading through her highly entertaining story-telling style that makes you feel as though you're sitting 'round the campfire listening to old stories, wishing for "just one more." Not only are the healers' stories sometimes astonishing, but the amazing tale of how this author came to obtain these stories, plus the incredibly realistic view into the world of traditional African healing, is truly worth the read. In the end, one is left to ponder the gifts Africa has been holding for the rest of the world, as ancient tradition is brought to life through this modern glimpse into long held beliefs and practices.

Being a person myself who went through a drastic life change to answer a call right here in modern American life, the stories of these healers gave me an incredible reassurance that my path was not farfetched, while also revealing to me a deep inner connection to a world little known, and far away in Africa. This book was a confirmation that told me, answering a calling is an ancient practice that our souls have known long before the modern world existed.

Not only will this book change you, but surely it will effect the way you see "the call" in your own life. It is a must read, for sure!

this 56 page book is filled with lots of info. it is great for all ages. it is filled with great illustrated pictures by Laszlo Kubinyi. it's one of the best books i'v ever bought.

What an amazing find! We came across this book while looking for Ancient Egypt textbooks and we love it. The author has done an outstanding job and is obviously well researched. The fascination the Egyptians had with cats is very interesting and this book draws you straight into it. Highly recommended and the illustrations are the perfect accompaniment. Just lovely!

Short and Sweet are the only words that can describe this book. With beautiful color illustrations on every page, you can really begin to understand what these people and their surroundings looked like and what they believed in. Even though I rated this book 5 stars, because of the wonderful artwork and descriptive words, this book was very short. I'm in the 7th Grade, and it only took me 10 minutes to finish, so I recommend just reading it in your library or bookstore rather than buying it outright. All in all, 'Cat Mummies' was very informative, though it could have been just a bit longer.

This is a good book because it provides a different side to mummies. It has beautiful color drawings of some mummies. It can be helpful when doing a report ,or making a model of one as I did. This book also provides other sources to look at. If you are interested look in your local library or bookstore. (Great for young readers and Egypt book worms)

A stunningly beautiful and fascinating book, Cats of Africa describes the continent's lions, leopards, cheetahs, and small wild cats. The text is accompanied by numerous gorgeous drawings and paintings. The book is both informative and gripping, with excellent desriptions of the behaviours and characteristics of the animals in the wild, as well as discussions of their futures. I strongly recommend it!

This book is proliferated with Paul Bosman's art. The art includes Paul Bosman's paintings and drawings capturing the moments in the life of the cats. We see the lioness facing it's pray, a leopard resting, a family of cheetahs, a male lion walking through the bush and so on. The illustrations cover lions, leopards, cheetahs, as well as smaller wild cats. I recommend this book for any nature lover, wild cat enthusiast or a person interested in African wildlife.

A stunningly beautiful and fascinating book, Cats of Africa describes the continent's lions, leopards, cheetahs, and small wild cats. The text is accompanied by numerous gorgeous drawings and paintings. The book is both informative and gripping, with excellent desriptions of the behaviours and characteristics of the animals in the wild, as well as discussions of their futures. I strongly recommend it!

Even if there were no text in this book, I would recommend it. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The descriptions and information of each family of cats is also well written and overall the book is a must have.