Africa Books

First, some disclosure - Tilley was the professor to introduce me to St. Augustine's work in a seminar at the University of Dayton, for which I am eternally grateful. So, naturally, I shall be a bit biased in her favor.

Having said that, this work is excellent on many levels. First, Tilley shows a exceptional knowledge of the Donatist heresy, both in terms of facts and also for the "feel" of Donatist piety. She presents very well the style of thinking and types of discourse that the Donatists used, and why it makes sense for them to have done so. Second, Tilley approaches the Donatists in an intellectually fair manner. On the one hand, she is not joining in the (oft-times polemical) attacks in the style of the orthodox writers, and on the other hand does not present the Donatist heresy as a group that can do no wrong (and thereby avoids the adulation given by some scholars to any movement with the word "heresy" attached to it). Third, by presenting the context (in history and culture) within which the Donatists existed, one comes away with a very helpful understanding of how Donatism fit into its time and place.

All in all, an excellent work. Anyone interested in St. Augustine, patristic-era church history, or heresy should have this book on his/her shelf.

I was impressed by Tilley's careful recovery of the tenets of Donatism from the polemics of its adversaries (including great Augustine). Donatism was a fourth century church which developed in Roman North Africa around Carthage in the aftermath of the Diocletian persecutions, watered by the blood of confessors of the faith, embarrassingly simultaneous with Constantine's legitimizing the more accommodating Latin church developing in the eastern Imperium. Carefully, by analyzing the polemics which contain the remnants of Donatist thought, Tilley reveals a strong Church which had not taken the establishment turn of the "Latin" church, and indeed stood against it even through the Vandal invasions, until it disappeared with the coming of Islam.

My sister and I read this book in preparation for a four month trip to africa, of which two months was spent on bikes. This book was the single most useful, common-sense guide we read in all of our preparation - both for biking, and just generally getting by in Africa. Really - read this!

This is the best handy-dandy guide to tour preparation that I have ever read (and I have probably read most of them). It is written with a wealth of experience behind the pearls of wisdom and that experience comes shining through on each section.

Concentrating on Africa, Mozer has outlined all of the things that have to be considered when preparing oneself and one's bicycle for a trip to a foreign country. In addition to covering the general prep, visas, inoculations, currency, etc., the author outlines how much one can benefit from experiencing the country on its terms rather than yours. I think he sums it up perfectly, with respect to Africa, when he says "...the essential difference between western and African culture is that Africans are concerned with the form of life and westerns dwell on the content."

Mozer uses a perfect blend of sensible advice and anecdotes in this easy to read manual. Whether or not you are planning an African tour, I think this manual is worth a read.

This book is a must for those who want an account of Black History in North America and the Caribbean. It really provides a foundation for you to view the Caribbean in different light and to understand why we are now where we are today. It is both informative and disturbing. This should be part of the National Curriculum in so many countries. The account Mr Segal gives on each Island is rewarding. I has a 'sense' of what I saw when I went to Martinique and the book provides firm facts which have enabled me to reflect on my journey and forthcoming journeys. If only more people from Europe and within the Islands read a book like this!!

Ronald Segal's book "The Black Diaspora" is an excellent historical and cultural account of African descendents living outside of Africa. This book is so smoothly written that it is impossible not to enjoy and learn a great deal from its pages. The format and flow are so well put together that Segal's many topics of discussion are beautifully linked with easy transitions. I loved this book and learned a huge amount about the black diaspora despite having read many, many other books on this same topic.

This is without a doubt the most logical of undercurrents, yet the most hidden aspect of slavery, surely obscured from history, and from the view of most white women. Few stop to think about it, and fewer still want to see the evidences of this reality. Yet, it may well be the essential part of slavery that women need to see because it is consistent with the reality that forms the emotionally charged fear that led to civil rights failures - the fear of retribution by the guilt and shame of men over the centuries of domination that could be the only possible reason for such heightened resistance to economic freedom. The passion not only to protect private stock, but also the possibility that their own women would be subject to such abuses is the only logical explanation of the fear that could have driven the giving of freedom and payment of minimal wages. The economics alone are insufficient to withstand scrutiny of reasons to perpetuate slavery sufficient to sustain a civil war.

I think the title is deceptive. When one sees "Black Women/White Men," one would think of a collaboration. In fact, if black women are mentioned first, one would think that they are leading the dynamic. However, none of this could possibly be said about the legalized rape of enslaved African-descent women. The subtitle is more appropriate; this could have just been called, "The Sexual Exploitation of Female Slaves."

Then again, that assumes that the author had this as a main theme. This book barely covers that theme at all. This book was about the oppression of African slaves, period, one aspect of which is legalized rape. Because sugar cane cultivation involves heavy lifting and uses of dangerous weapons, the slave trade in the Caribbean was highly gendered, and gendered toward men. So naturally, the author talks more of the abuse against slave men, reiterating the silliness of the book's title.

I was expecting this book to talk about the Sally Hemings and Thomas Jeffersons of the Caribbean and I imagine that most readers would imagine the same. However, that history was quickly summarized in one page in the middle of this book. I really think the author gave this book its deceptive title, dare I say it, in order to appear like he's discussing a "sexy" issue.

When I think about colonialism, I usually think of it as solely a British, French, and Spanish phenomenon. So I was intrigued to be reminded that the Danish had empiric aspirations as well. However, this book stated that the Danish were never heavily involved in settling the islands discussed. The Danish West Indies became the American Virgin Islands, so this is Black American history and should be recognized as such, especially for those interested in African-American history like myself.

The book is riddled with spelling errors. I am not sure if that arose due to the author's use of English as a second language or the limited resources of the press that printed this book. The author quotes ad nauseam to limited historians and hisotrical figures. Now, to his credit, maybe little has been written about these islands and their histories. Still, after awhile, it feels like the reader is getting a skewed and strikingly incomplete examination of the topic. The author compares the Danish Caribbean situation to its French counterpart in Saint Domigue (aka Haiti). However, he barely mentions anything about the islands' Spanish-speaking neighbors. Surely this is due to a lack of understanding of Spanish on the author's part. With Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic all in this same area, it seems like a major fallacy to exclude them in a comparative analysis.

I am glad this book exists. However, it is second-rate and I predict that it will disappoint many as I was.

These are finely-wrought, wonderful stories that are not only compelling story-wise, with complex characters, etc, but also refreshingly responsible, especially compared to most of the other Peace Corp writers (as well as other Western writers writing about the "third world") that I've read. For example, instead of recycling (racist) stereotypes and/or exoticizing Africa, Eileen Drew keeps a steady and critical gaze on her Western characters' ambivalent and relatively privileged positions viz-a-viz her African characters, and as a result, manages to craft stories that honestly and compassionately grapple with the racial, social and cultural and emotional tensions that inevitable come with the territory. At a time when "multiculturalism" (ironically) is breeding anew works that reinforce cultural and racial stereotypes (mainly because there is still an enormous lack of self-awareness/critical self-reflection), Drew's book was a delight to find. I'd recommend this to anyone!

Reading this book was a breath of fresh air. I have not read such beautiful prose since finishing Gimpel the Fool by Isaac B. Singer. Within a few sentences of each story I felt myself being transported to the tropical local of each story. The protagonist/girl/young woman of each story melded into a single character trying to find her place in a crazy world. I was sad to see each story end, as I felt I wanted to know more. All young women should read this book, so they will know they are not alone in their journeys

Fikru Negash Gebrekidan is a courageous writer who did an immense service to the young generation to reassure the bond between Ethiopians and African decedents in the New World not an accidental one; rather the factual historical accounts depict a century worth of relation and integration. The book title did justice to author well-researched thesis. The author illustrated clearly the Black intellectuals rejecting the Eurocentric philosophy and religious belief and embracing Afrocentric belief.

In 1930, black people throughout the world doing worst such as Jim Crow in US, Apartheid in South Africa, most of the African Nations were colonized with the exception of Ethiopia on vicious European ill intent "Scramble for Africa." In spite of these unfortunate facts there was the single, black, east African nation Ethiopia crown Haile Selassie as King. The idea of possibility to keep nation sovereign from foreign invader or protecting individual freedom conceived and echoed from Africa to the New World. There was noticeable pride and motivation among blacks as result there were peoples resistant and aggression against the establishment and anti colonialism movement mushroomed everywhere. Such sense of pride was challenged when the Italian dictator Mussolini invaded Ethiopia 1936-1941 despite the Italians previous embarrassing defeat at the battle of Adwa in 1896 known as "An African Victory." Italian invasion in Ethiopian crated such global movements among Blacks in the New World particularly in US were united, demonstrated even registered to fight Italians' fascism beside their Ethiopian brother and sister. The Ethiopians and global sympathizers brought an end to Italian fascism despite the United Nation (UN) unwillingness to condemn the Italian government.

In the last 95-years almost a century (1896-1991) there was a significant cultural exchange and Ethiopian Orthodox Church expansion in the New World. The effort made significant changes on the psychology and thoughts of Blacks in the West. Emperor Haile Selassie I land and citizenship promise to the skillful and professional blacks in the west brought hope and light for the Black Nationalist movement in the west. However, Emperor Haile Selassie understood it would be mutual beneficial to give priority to the professionals, technicians, artisans and farmers under the condition that the new settlers need to assimilate the local culture and language as well as willingness to reside permanently. The Rastafarians keen interest to follow Marcus Garvey "Back to Africa" philosophy and strong unity also aspired. The Jamaican government sponsor unofficial Back-to-Africa mission selected peoples traveled to five African nations to find out the likeability repatriation. Finally, missionaries confirmed Ethiopia being an ideal place and the people of Ethiopian very hospitable by nature will make settlement simple and successful. Furthermore, the Rastafarian adapted the Ethiopian flag as symbol of freedom and religion. Abyssinians was the first reggae band to incorporate Amharic lyrics to be exact in 1969 single album released contained "Setta Masgana le Amlak Hul Giz." We need to give thanks and praises to God continually.

The book shed some light on Majesty's visionary effort on improving the Ethiopian education, the champion effort establishing the Organization African Unity (OAU). On the other hand, the effort granting land and citizenship also brought a few skillful blacks to settle and share knowledge. The numbers of African decedents settled in Ethiopian were not significant by any measure.

Ethiopia went backward from any measurable progress after the successful military junta led by Mengistu Hailemariam in 1974. Most Ethiopian "Elites" were tortured and killed during government special force covert operative known as "Red Terror" to destroy democratic movement and to establish tyrant leadership. On the other hand some educated, productive and young generation of Ethiopians fled out of the country and settled in North America and Europe. The number of Ethiopians settled in North America continues to grow faster at the end of 20th century due to Diverse Visa (DV) lottery issued every year. The interaction between Ethiopian and African-Americans become first hand. The relationship has not been fruitful consider the century history of relation and integration. The irony is some Ethiopians are disassociating with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and embraced Pentecostal western religion sect. On the positive side the number of western educated Ethiopians rocketed sky-high compare to 1930's and 1940's; however, none of them are returning to Ethiopia any time soon. I believe there must be more effort to rekindle the century relation and integration. Ethiopians must participate on the African-Americans' core effort and principle of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); furthermore, the African-Americans need to support the Ethiopians effort to bring democracy and fair election in their homeland Ethiopia. There is lack of knowledge on both community at large as well as not having visionary leaders halt the relation and integration of the two communities achieved in the 20th century. The young generation has the task of completing unfinished journey and envisions the new chapter for new generation to harness the relation, integration and unity that enable Africans and African-Americans to live in United States of Africa!!!
Bond without Blood: A History of Ethiopian and New World Black Relations, 1896-1991

This is a seminal work on Ethio-Black Diasporan relations that is groundbreaking and perhaps even revolutionary in casting new light on Ethiopian historiography and on Ethiopia in a rather rejuvenating African context. Far away from the long entertained view of "semitic" origins to the Ethiopian Civilization, which supposedly spurred "paternalistic, derogatory and even racist" attitude and view of other fellow Africans on the part of the Ethiopians, this original work has attempted to tackle rather successfully with these misconceptions and misrepresentations of Ethiopia, Ethiopian history and Ethiopians from differet socio-economic strata. It argues for the integrally African nature and origins of the Ethiopian Civilization and for the deep convictions and affinities entertained both by Ethiopian aristocrats and the working class with Africanness and fellow Africans/Blacks both in Africa and in the Diaspora.
This is a very important work since it offers a clear departure from ideological and ethnic narrowmindness entertained by African elites towards a pan-africanist and Ethiopianist world view in which political and economic integration and interdependence is invoked between African countries and diasporic communities due to long lasting historic affinities between Africans both at home and in the Diaspora.
Finally, in adopting Afrocentrist thought as a legitimate school of thought, it opens the way and affirms the necessity for the reconsideration and rewriting of African history in general and Ethiopian history in particular.

I was so happy to know that truth. Massey tells us the truth on the racial origin of the humanity, when he told to the pagge 29-30, that the white was a creation of the black people so-called egyptians. Now, I'am free of all complex, I'am free because Massey with the book of the beginnings, gave me the freedom. Thank you Massey, one black people of the louisiane. (01/02/2000) timec@caramail.com

This is the first of three great books by Gerald Massey on the relation between all the world's religions, cultures and languages and the ancient Egyptian that is, in itself, rooted in the lake region of Central Africa at the source of the Nile. In the first volume of this book, Massey discusses the extremely ancient origins of Egypt and then goes into great detail and depth in showing how the British Druidic culture is Egyptian in its origin. Volume two does the same for the ancient Hebrew culture. These books are a gold mine, They are filled with detail upon inspiring detail. See my review of *Natural Genesis.* Massey's books are indespensible for anyone interested in the great African cultures, the British Druidic culture, the origins of the Hebrew culture, the problems of Christianity, the origins of Buddhism, and the origins of all the world's myths, including the biblical legends, and languages; he shows Egyptian words that show up in a very large number of languages including even the American Indian, Maori, Japanese, Chinese, European, African and so on. Massey focuses through his volumes on the British Druidic, Hebrew, and Christian traditions, and explores in extraordinary depth the Egyptian, and its root culture deep in Africa. Anyone who studies the African traditions can easily see the connections of Massey's findings with the African traditions. Egypt goes back hundreds of thousands of years and comes from the same root as all the other African traditions. All of Massey's books are published by BCP (Black Classics Press).

Sometimes through adversity, the true measure of a person is revealed. Anyone who has spent time in the military (wherever in the world that may be) will relate to the story that Tim so vividly explains. But more than a depiction of military life, this is a journey of self discovery that anyone can find similarity with. Thanks Tim for documenting this part of your life.

Tim Ramsden's book gives an honest, yet sometimes horrifying, account of what national service in the South African Defence Force was like in the apartheid years of the 1980s. This well-crafted and accurate book will interest to all those who have fought in the ghastly wars around the world in the last few decades. Vietnam, Iraq, Rhodesia, Bosnia all come to mind. Long periods of boredom, male bonding and horrible living conditions with moments of indefinable terror are minutely detailed. Well worth reading.

I read my friend's copy while visiting Johannesburg, and have been anxious to get my own copy. This is a really fine book for anyone who is interested in good photos and engrossing stories of travel in the remote wilds of northern Botswana, including the Kalahari and the game regions north of the Okavango. The adventures are those of a person who has made many extended trips into the Kalahari, not just a tourist who is quickly passing through. This area is now quickly becoming more and more opened up by paved roads and overrun by tourists. It may be that a person can no longer have experiences such as those described by Augustinus. If the book is indeed still available as indicated by Paul's review, I with Amazon would find a way to make it available. I want a copy. Dave

This book is not out of print as stated by amazon.com. It is published by Acorn books and is in its third edition. The editors of Getaway Magazine in South Africa, recently included it in a "ten best books on Africa of the decade". This was after a critical review of all the books published worldwide about travel and adventure in the whole of Africa in the last decade. The book is a peronalised account of the author's travels over a ten year period in the wildest remaining areas of Botswana's best game country. It is packed with facts, maps and spectacular photographs as well as paintings and sketches. In Southern Africa this book is regarded as a classic.

Mike Main provides a complete snapshot of the people and cultures of Botswana. It is not the usual tourist guidebook of only places to visit. This small book packs a large amount of essential information for a traveler who wishes to understand the people, their history and avoid embarrassing moments. I would highly recommend this book as an essential read before a visit to Botswana. Its small size means that you can also take it with you!

We have recently returned from Botswana and had the very good fortune of spending three days in the Kalahari with Michael Main. He is extremely knowledgeable, entertaining and most importantly very well informed - just as he is in his book about the culture in Botswana.

For those travelers who are going to Botswana and are interested in more than just seeing the "Big Five" this book is for you. After all, the people are just as much, if not more, a part of the travel experience and Michael Main knows the people of Botswana.