Africa Books

From Brown's perspective the Christianization and formation of Europe is the result of a process in which a deeply rooted Christian politic, looking outward from its mediterranean seat, gradually dispersed and emerged from within the tiny Roman sub-cultures, embedded throughout the northwestern frontiers, to establish micro-Christendoms that sucessively meshed together under aristocratic influence, martial conquest, sojourning holy men and missionaries, and the organization and education of the clergy. Brown also looks to the "East Roman Empire" where a more harmonized Christianity boldly sustained the invasions and dominion of the Muslims, and triumphantly struggled for orthodoxy under the Iconoclasts, Nestorians, and Monophysites to eventually convert the Russians, Bulgars, and Slavs. This work is definately a one of a kind, and an interesting and contributing effort to explain the rise of Christendom.

It is always a pleasure to read Prof. Brown's writing, prose so gracious that the author's remarkable erudition fades effortlessly into the background. What makes reading The Rise of Western Christendom particularly enjoyable (and educational) is the vast expanse of its theme. In about 350 pages, Brown guides the reader across a spectacular terrain through eight momentous centuries of transformation. With the easy touch of a consummate storyteller, Brown brings to life a cast of characters as remarkable as any novel while tracing the developments of the first millenium in Europe, the Near East, and even the Far East. The scope of the book gives Brown the opportunity to integrate themes that he has explored elsewhere into a composite survey of this age. It is a remarkable accomplishment.

Peter Brown is an excellent historian of early European and early Christian history. In addition to this book, he is author of one of the foremost biographical texts on Augustine, the major Western Christian figure of the first 1000 years after the Apostolic Age, as well as another historical reference book I use frequently, 'The World of Late Antiquity'. Brown is an excellent writer, clear and engaging, drawing the narrative to life for the reader.

One of the best features of this book, even though the title specifically speaks to the rise of Western Christianity, is that it does not treat Eastern Christianity as an afterthought or mere appendage onto the 'more important' Western history. While this book covers the period of time of the 'undivided' church (the years 200 - 1000 C.E.), in fact, as Brown demonstrates, the church was anything but uniform across the various political units and culturally diverse regions.

In Brown's narrative, there are two primary Empires of concern, and not the traditional Western and Eastern Roman Empires, but rather the Roman Empire (as a whole), and the Persian Empire. Christianity flourished in Egypt, throughout the region of the Fertile Crescent, in Asia minor, and along the trade routes into the Far East and the Indian subcontinent. Because these strands of Christianity did not lead to the Western Catholic and Protestant church, they tend to be overlooked by Western historians and students. However, they formed the basis of the greater Eastern Orthodox church, which spread Christianity through Eastern Europe and Russia, a force that may begin to grow again on the world stage of Christianity.

Brown also traces the rise of Western Christianity, not in lock-step manner as focussed upon an all-powerful Rome, but rather as a continuing process of give and take between various powerful centres of political and intellectual life, which include the Celtic influence in church survival, the 'frontier' churches in Britain, Germany, and the Carolingian consolidation. The rise of the church in former imperial lands was more assured, but the frontiers lands still had powerful systems of legend and mythology -- the Britons had monsters like Grendel (of Beowulf), the Germans and Scandanavians sharing such and similar stories. The amalgamation of popular culture (priests would 'cast spells' and perform old fertility rites, using updated Christo-centric wording) into the church's missionary framework set the stage for later diversities to re-emerge.

Brown's text shows how different the Western Church is from the Eastern Church (for which it is important to develop an idea of the Eastern Church), both in development and in outlook. This is a broad survey -- within any text that covers a thousand-year time span, the author must be selective in choosing relevant events and personalities. Brown does a good job at tracing the primary history with enough detail to keep it lively. Brown concludes with select bibliographies divided by chapter topic, various chronologies of key groups, and a good index.

This book is one of those extremely rare achievements - a work of broad and learned scholarship which is easy to read. In fact it is more than easy, it is so fascinating and so perfectly written that I could hardly force myself to stop when I had to. It is a work of secular and religious history, of course, but it gave me in addition a sense of how people actually lived in the ancient world, an experience that only a truly great scholar could give. I recommend this book to anyone who has the faintest interest in what happenmed in the early centuries of the Christian Era, religious or otherwise.

Excellent recording quality, an interesting listen.

The Road to Mecca is a crucible for Miss Helen, the seemingly strange, eccentric widower holed up on her bizarre property in rural New Bethesda, South Africa. She is clearly different, as evidenced by her many sculptures and odd creations surrounding her house, which unto itself holds a myriad of eccentric charms.
She comes to odds when Elsa, a young woman committed to Helen surprisingly appears at her door and discovers Helen on the verge of giving up on life. Elsa's staunch commitment to Helen's unique beauty conflicts with Dominee Marius', a local preacher who stands on the side of the patronizing, yet caring Christian community.
The play is dynamic in it's a)exposure of isolated aging, b)Elsa's youthful/urban attitude vs. Helen's elderly/rural one, c)soul crushing Christian convalescence vs. a spirited iconoclastic artistic home, d)characteristics of artistic inspiration, e)creativity's essential place in daily life, f) the long journey of self discovery, among others.
A powerful conclusion as well demonstrates Fugard's unbound compassion and empathy for spirited life under South Africa's skies.

Home sweet home: a place of love, refuge, and memories. For Helen Martin's it was also her life, her work and her Mecca. In the play "The Road to Mecca" Athol Fugard explores the question: Should we leave our Mecca, our spiritual fountainhead, when we can no longer take care of ourselves? The conflict between the three strong willed characters Helen, Elsa and Pastor Marius explores the question in the light of different religions, cultures, genders, ages and environments. Fugard said the play was suggested by the life and work of Helen Martins of New Bathesda, South Africa. The real Helen from age 50 to 75 transformed her house into a personal universe that enters the realm of archetype, symbol and metaphor. The house, furniture, windows and walls became a kaleidoscope of colored glass. In her garden she constructed over 200 figures: owls, Biblical figures, Buddhas, and ancient gods and goddesses. One South African scholar described her work as one of the most stirring experiences of his life and another called her one of South Africa's artistic geniuses. Fugard in his play shows Helen's creations as a glorious, makeshift oasis of creativity and life force and Elsa, his character, sees Helen as an example of freedom and transcendence. One powerful scene is when Helen, seated in her Mecca with dozens of candles playing off glittered walls and mirrors, tells Pastor Marius "I can't reduce my world to a few ornaments in a small room in an old-age home." The effect is stunning. The play is thought provoking and gives few answers. Helen is alive when it ends. Sadly, in 1975, the real Helen committed suicide. She drank caustic soda and died after three days I solitary agony. Her will included complex instructions listing in detail the ritual disposal of each of her sculptures. But today her home, known as "The Owl House" has been proclaimed a national monument and is a mecca for artists and tourists.

A reclusive elderly widow (based on the late Helen Martins, whose South African home is now a museum) has created her own "Mecca" by decorating the inside of her home with candles and mirrors and by surrounding the house with an assortment of personally-sculpted mermaids, wisemen, peacocks and pyramids. Although her neighbors view Miss Helen as a crazy old woman, she has made friends with Elsa Barlow, a young teacher who has returned for a surprise visit. On that same day, clergyman Marius Byleveld has come to help Helen apply to a nursing home. Marius is fond of Helen and fears for her safety. Elsa is in opposition to a move as it would take Helen away from her art.

I was originally concerned that a drama focusing on an old woman's artwork would not translate well to a listening experience. How could I care as deeply about Miss Helen if I was not able to see the oddball sculptures she had created? Surely the vision of "a city of light and color more splendid than anything I had ever imagined" could not be adequately transmitted through the speakers of my tape player. I need not have worried. One of my favorite parts of the entirely wonderful listen remains the moment when Helen lights her room with candles -- music comes up and there is absolutely no problem seeing a room aglow in a growing light of imagination and art. Adding to the experience is a superb cast performing a well-written examination of what it means to be an artist, what it means to be older, and what it means to be shunned. Fabulous!

This is an interesting book mostly because of the viewpoint of the author. The author is a German who does not think Rommel was all that great. And so you have the whole series of events in Africa viewed from a critical German perspective.

And as he says, Rommel was very lucky in who he had as opponents. The British were horribly led in the begining (with some notable exceptions) leading to numerous German victories.

This is not a "must read." But it is worth the time and the unique viewpoint of the author makes it quite informative.

Rommel's War in Africa is a vivid and detailed account of the fighting between the German Afrika Korps and the British 8th Army during WWII. It is really a book with two themes, one about the war itself and the other about the man behind the battles, Erwin Rommel. The writing is solidly based on accurate historical research, using interviews and archival material from both sides. It was originally written in German and then translated into "British" English, so there words here and there that surprise the American reader, e.g. Germans referring to each other as "chaps". However, this does not take away from the reader's experience at all. Heckmann was one of the first authors to step beyond the glorified myth of Rommel and consider the man as he actually was. Both his courage and ingenuity, and his vanity and miscalculations are thoroughly explored. The narrative covers the back-and-forth nature of the fighting as each side maneuvers through the desert, suffers setbacks, and deals with the challenges of supply on a remote front. In the end, Rommel is defeated in Africa, and Germany itself reaches a turning point in the war. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in this theater of WWII.

I have read quite a few works on the North African campaign of World War II, and Wolf Heckmann's "Rommel's War in Africa" is one of the best. This well written book is a pleasure to read for both the casual enthusiast and a more researched reader. Heckmann thoroughly and honestly explores both sides of the war, from both the allied and axis sides, which is quite refreshing, as most works are very Anglo-orientated about North Africa. I would confidently recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about World War II.

The author uses sources and personal accounts from both sides to give the most balanced account of this interesting campaign I have ever encountered. One of the very few books on the subject to take an unbiased look at Rommel's generalship, recounting both his genius and his flaws. I cannot overemphasize how worthwhile I found this work.

Chapters explore music, dance, and evolving trends in Congolese rumba tradition and provide so much accompanying explanatory history that even ethnomusicologists and college-level students of African culture and tradition will find it fascinating.
 Very highly recommended.

Ably written by a published author of articles on African and Caribbean music whose work has appeared in "The Beat", "Option", "West Africa" and more, Rumba On The River: A History Of The Popular Music Of The Two Congos is an enthralling dissemination of how changing times and ancient traditions blended to create a distinctive type of music along the Congo River. From the currents of political struggle to the tides of self-expression, the history, vibrancy, and popularity of this music flowed, and its indelible impressions upon the human psyche are succinctly framed in an unforgettable prose.

Sorry: I'll write my appreciation in french.
Après avoir lu les 23 chapitres de cet ouvrage, j'avoue avoir été impressionné par la quantité d'informations, la qualité du matériel et des sources historiques auxquelles l'auteur (Gary Stewart) a eu recours pour réaliser son ouvrage. Il s'agit de l'oeuvre de toute une vie, car l'auteur ne se contente pas de retracer le parcours historique de la musique congolaise (les deux Congo), mais se donne la peine de situer les événements dans leur contexte socio-politique aussi bien au niveau local qu'international.
Je rends un vibrant hommage à Gary Stewart. Avec son ouvrage, il met les pendules à l'heure et ouvre les voiles sur plusieurs zones d'ombre de l'évolution de la musique congolaise. Grâce à son ouvrage, nous pouvons dessiner l'arbre généalogique de cette musique. Nous pouvons remonter dans le temps avec les premiers phonos en 1904, Henri Bowane, Wendo Kolosoy et les autres. L'apport de Nicolas Jeronimidis, des frères Papadimitriou et de Bill Alexandre dans l'édification de l'industrie du disque au Congo est exposé avec une verve digne d'un véritable historien.
Lorsqu'arrive les temps modernes avec le Grand Kallé, nous pouvons nous rendre compte de la contribution hautement significative, si pas décisive, du Dr Nico Kasanda dans le façonnnement de ce qu'on peut appeler l'École "African Jazz". Bien sûr, le Grand Kallé reste le monument incontournable, le père fondateur incontestable de cette musique et de cette école. Mais c'est le Dr Nico qui, par son ingéniosité, sa virtuosité, par la "magie" de sa guitare, qui en est l'icône, l'artisan incontesté. Ignorer ce détail ou faire semblant de l'ignorer comme le fait Tabu Ley Rochereau dans son témoignage sur "La musique congolaise et son évolution dans le temps" est de la pure malhonneteté intellectuelle et une abjecte méprise qui enlève toute crédibilité à son fameux "témoignage". Quelle ingratitude! De cette école sont issus de grands orchestres, notamment Africa Fiesta Sukisa, Africa Fiesta National (plus tard Afisa International), Vox Africa, Les Grands Maquisards, Bamboula etc.
Luambo Franco (surnom qu'il emprunta d'un autre chanteur du nom de François Engbondu) est présenté comme fondateur de l'école OK Jazz. À la suite de cette école, naîtront des rejetons dont Congas Succès, Negros Succès, Cobantou et Los Angel pour ne citer que ceux-là. Qui a oublié L'orchestre Bantous avec Essous Jean-Serge et Les Bantous de la Capitale?
Le livre met à jour les implications politiques pendant le règne dictatorial de Mobutu sur le financement de certains orchestres. Il retrace l'évolution jusqu'à la génération présent. Le lecteur sera comblé par les nombreuses anecdotes sur la vie des musiciens, les alliances, les aspects financiers ainsi que l'éclosion du phénomène "Ngulu".
Les générations suivantes: Pépé Kallé, Les Frères Soki, Zaïko Langa Langa, Lokasa, Emeneya, Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide ainsi que les jeunes de Wenge (diverses branches) y sont également traités. L'exposé sur la contribution de la junte féminine Photas (African Fiesta), Abeti, Mpongo Love, Tshiala Muana, Mbilia Bel est suffisamment étoffé.
Le livre met également à jour une évidence: le façonnement d'un rythme (rumba dans ses variantes "soucous", "kono", "kiri-kiri" et autres "kwempa-kwempa", "ndombolo") n'est jamais l'affaire des seuls chanteurs: les instrumentistes y sont pour beaucoup. Ainsi, les guitaristes comme Pépé Felly Manuaku Waku, Tshimpaka Roxy "Nyau" et les jeunes d'aujourd'hui sont des véritables "créateurs" rythmiques. À l'exemple de Déchaud Muamba et son frère Nicolas Kasanda, Simarro Lutumba (un compositeur de talent), Noel Nedule (Papa Noel) ils ont su valablement prendre la relève.
Un autre point fort de cet ouvrage, c'est la compilation bibliographique, presque complète. Le repertoire par l'index est une excellente idée pour guider le lecteur à travers ces 400 pages et plus.

Des nombreuses photos inédites: Le célèbre guitariste Déchaud, à 14 ans, en culotte, accompagnant au chant (et nom à la guitare!) le magicien de l'époque Jhimmy L'Hawaïen. Image saisissante!
Par contre, permettez-moi de souligner une grande omission: l'absence de l'apport des "Belgicains": Zatho Kinzonzi, Maxime Mongali ("Idi Mane") Tony Dee, Zizi, Joe Rhino et les autres est difficilement justifiaable dans un ouvrage d'une telle envergure. Pourtant, les orchestres comme Zaïko LL et Thu Zhaïna à leurs débuts puisaient leur inspiration de Los Nickelos et de Yéyé National, lesquels s'inspiraient des rythmes des deux grandes écoles. Quoi qu'il en soit, cet ouvrage est unique en son genre et tout le mérite revient à son auteur qui a eu le reflexe de le dédier aux "immortels" musiciens qui ont quitté ce monde. Encore une fois, Félicitaions Gary!
Un livre à lire absolument et à faire lire!

Gary Stewart's book is so very well researched. If you are not familiar with the Congolese Rumba, the material will not really interest you and be difficult if not impossible to read. If you are familiar with this remarkable music in any way, you will end up seeking out and acquiring as much of this music and record titles as you can afford. I must have bought about 150 CD titles of the artists mentioned in the book.Stewart's book puts these artists and their music in the context of a history previously unwritten about in the English language. The only other book that comes to mind is Graeme Ewens' "Congo Colossus", but that title is more confined to the history of Franco (Francois Luambo Makiadi) and Le T.P. OK Jazz.If there is a criticism, it is a small one. He leaves out Orchestra Super Mazemba and Samba Mapangala. Although those artists made their mark in Kenya, they were in fact major Rumba artists from the Congo. However, Mr. Stewart performed remarkable research not to mention a history book that moves like an impossible to put down novel.

Growing up watching Tarzan, Daktari, Hatari and others on tv, I dreamt of someday making a trip to Africa. Later reading of adventure tales by Capstick, Hemingway, Kittenberger, Patterson, Teddy Roosevelt and Foran only made the desire greater. But the romantic adventure never actually seemed possible, and definitely out of financial reach.
I've read and own most if not all of Royce's books, so this was an easy sell. It's what I expected and more. This book isn't as much an action adventure story as much as "how to" for the common man. There is so much detailed information packed between the covers that it will provide a reference for years to come. Whether it's picking a proper cartridge, picking a guide, or how to get through the airport with the least hassle, the book has it all.
If you're even dreaming about a trip to Africa someday, buy the book, you won't regret it.

I never have been excited about going on a safari. That was before a Jeff Cooper reunion I attended 3 years ago in New Mexico. At that event, I met a man named Tom who told about his safari and for the first time ever I wanted to go.

At that SAME fateful event, I met a man I've respected ever so highly since: Kenneth Royce, the author of Safari Dreams. Although we keep up with Kenneth as best we can, always buying everything he writes because doing so is an investment in our freedom-loving futures, his new Safari Dreams was an absolute surprise... and a pleasant one, OH so pleasant!

Now, 3 years later, that spark of safari desire has returned, this time with a passion, due to Safari Dreams.

Please understand, this isn't just a story book about safaris as so many books are. They are often good books, but this is FAR MORE. Here, the absolute beginner gets an entire course, a how-to seminar on what to know before, during, and after a safari. If you aren't all that keen right now, you WILL BE once you get less than halfway through Safari Dreams!

And if you have already been on a safari, your knowledge will rocket up several levels. You will learn tips to help you be more effective and safer too. You will learn traps to avoid and you'll save far more than the cost of Safari Dreams too because this book saves you money by telling you what you will need and will NOT need on your future safaris.

This book is on par with another, Boston's Gun Bible, both of which now sit side-by-side on our shelves and which we refer to regularly. Safari Dreams, in addition to encouraging you to take an African trip, is also a reference book.

This book is one that you keep forever, one you get for your closest friends, one you get for ALL your shooting friends. It's one of those important works that comes along only every few years.

I too am a hunter and like Mr Royce, have written a book about hunting but not for Africa, I wrote about hunting in New Zealand. That country dosn't have dangerous animals, the only danger to hunters being the terrain and weather. Through my work I am able to reconise the quality of Safari Dreams and can honestly award the five stars.

Safari dreams must surely qualify as the first, 21st century, Bible on African Safari. The wealth of material on planning, travel, culture and customs and even a hint of the political 'feeling' of the people is a book in itself.
Then the detailed accounts of the various hunts, the camps, the guides and a brilliant description of the game that can be encountered and the reader is soon picking up a very clear picture of the African hunting scene.
I enjoyed the no nonsense approach to rifles and calibers and the graffic pictorial evidence of what those big game bullets will and sometimes won't do.

If you intend hunting Africa, I recommend you start with this book. If you are a hunter who may not get to Africa then buy it for the great read.

well done Ken

Great Book, 5 stars.

Good lay out, Fabulous Pictures, and the sunset photo on the cover........well, is to die for.

This book has the most details for the planning stages, while traveling and on your hunt than anywhere else I have ever read. The pricing is up to date.

It has extensive chapters on calibers, rifles, ballistics and bullets. I was surprised and pleased that he included some of the more recent calibers in his extensive research.

Being as I have worked for several outfitters over the years, in Wyoming and here in Idaho, I was especially pleased that there was a chapter on "Tipping". Believe it or not folks, whether here in North America, or overseas, the outfitting business does not pay a real good wage. The people bust their hump to give the client an enjoyable and memorable outdoor experience, and tipping is the best way to express your thanks.

All in all, the advice that Royce gives the book about guns, ammo, equipment, customs, camp life and hunting, are applicable not only in Africa, but anywhere you hunt.

A last word, on biltong. Now I have not been to RSA, but several years ago, my wife spent 3 weeks visiting friends there. When I asked her about biltong, she moaned and started visibly drooling.

My advice, purchase this book. It is a wonderful read and full of practical info.

I was apprehensive that a book ostensibly written by a teddy bear would get sneers from my teen aged son, however, despite a few pages of cuteness at the start, the book was so well done in art work and content, and mirrored our own safari experiences so well, that Nick loved it. He even, abeit a bit sheepishly, liked the teddy bear humor. If this book succeeds so well with a cynical teen, it should work for everyone. Read this book before you go to East Africa, then re-read it (and get a little misty-eyed) after you return.

This delightful book tells the story of the bear Reggie, who travels to Africa for a safari with his owner. His handwritten account records everything he sees in a journal/scrapbook format that is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. A wonderful book for any age. Also check out the follow up, Journey Up the Nile.

An absolutely charming book, "Safari" is the journal of Reginald Oliver Smythe, a vintage Teddy bear who was taken along on a trip to Africa by his owner (and travel companion), Susan. I've read lots of books on Africa, but none like this one--told entirely from the toy bear's perspective. It is filled with interesting facts and suffused with "Reggie's" endearing personality. Written in the form of a travel journal, the book is as lushly illustrated as an artist's sketchbook. Reginal Oliver Smythe's "Safari" is perfect for reading to my young nieces and nephew. A great gift!

I have been on a safari with each of my daughters and am going on another with my son, his wife and 3 young grands this summer. Mailed them Reggie's book which was so beguiling I had to get another copy for my daughters to share with me. Needless to say I love the East African experience and this book gives some useful information in a fun, easily accessible and creative way.

This biography on Roman Emperor Septimius Severus proves to be quite interesting and very informative. It revealed an Emperor who was not only very able but also quite ruthless. Being the first Emperor from Africa revealed how international the Roman Empire truly was back then. The book provides good material on this Emperor's life, his background and background of where he originated from. Its a must read for anyone who happen to be interested in this subject matter.

However, its not really for casual readers. The writing proves to be bit on the dry side and although the book packed with information, the story doesn't flow as well as it should. It had a dry textbook type of feel to it. If it wasn't for that, the book probably does deserved the five stars that other reviewers have awarded it.

Septimius Severus (A.D. 146-211) hailed from Lepcis Magna, an African city which traced its ethnic and linguistic roots to Phoenicia and Carthage. Some of his townsfolk still had names that sounded disturbingly like Hannibal. He rose through the Army to become Emperor, following the disastrous reign of idiot-Emperor Commodus and the assassination of Pertinax. The mere fact that an African from the once-hated Phoenician coast could ascend to the principate speaks volumes of how the Roman system had evolved from city-state to universal empire. The early chapers on Lepcis Magna are a fascinating study in how the Roman provinces worked, socially and economically, and how Rome interacted with the outside world (Lepcis Magna greatly profited from its trade with Sub-Saharan Africa.)

Birley's assessment of Septimius's reign is ambivalent. Septimius was a vast improvement on Commodus, and, at massive cost in blood and treasurer, restored internal stability. His campaigns in Mesopotamia and Scotland were spectacular. Birley makes a plausible case that Septimius's ancestors retained a modicum of stability until at least Severus Alexander (208-235), but really the first signs of the cycle of contested rule, internal bloodshed and barbarian invasion that blighted the mid third-century can all be seen in Septimius's reign.

Prof. Birley has written the biographies of three Roman emperors: Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus and recently Hadrian. "Septimius Severus: the African Emperor" is his finest work thus far. His fluent narrative and relevant remarks make the life of Severus even more interesting. We follow Severus from his native town of Lepcis Magna (in today's Lybia), the member of a family of Phoenecian origin but Romanized for generations. Severus starts his career in an unremarkable way during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, giving us a glimpse of what life was for individual members of the senatorial class. We then follow Severus's life throughout the reign of Marcus's insane son Commodus, Birley giving the best treatment of his reign that I have ever seen in English. The events leading to the conspiracy to topple Commodus, resulting in civil war and Severus's acession as first Emperor for whom Latin was a foreign language, read like a first-class thriller, all the more fascinating because true. As emperor Severus shows himself to be competent and ruthless, and apparently somewhat disdainful and resentful of the traditional elites of Italian background, which led to his starting to convert the empire into a military dictatorship. On the other hand, his support of the great jurists Papinian and Paul make his reign one of the great ages of Roman jurisprudence, which was to have so much influence on Western law. Severus's military pursuits in Mesopotamia and Scotland are also vividly described. To be sure, the first chapters on the origins of Lepcis Magna are a bit slow, but all the rest is fascinating. I could not recomment this book more.

Anthony Birley does an outstanding job at presenting the life of a man who survived the insane rule of Commodus and founded a new imperial dynasty. Birley give one of the best accounts of the Empire under Commodus and the consipracy leading to his assassination. The brief rule of Pertinax is also delt with and the following civil war.

The begining section on the origins of Lepcis Magna are a bit slow. However, it provides a wealth of knowledge on what life was like in the Empire outside of Rome and Italy. Very few books manage to do this as well this one.

Showing the reign of Septimius Severus in great detail the reader can get an idea of how the 'Crisis of the Third Century' was to become almost inevitable. Septimius Severus favoring the soldiers over all else and his advise to his sons: "Be good brothers, grease the palm of the army and to hell with the rest."(not an exact translation of course) The life of Septimius Severus gives the reader a glimpse into what may have made Caracalla such a tyrant.

A poignant and touching story woven together from journals and notes. It speaks of true Christian faith, love of family and sacrifice for others. It is rich in desription and brings back many memories of living in a small town and attending a local Methodist church.

This book offers the reader hope, understanding, and how the Robertson's faith saw them through so many hardships. The Robertson's suffered pain, sorrow, and adversity, but their steadfast love and abiding faith in the Lord always prevailed throughout the turmoil in their lives. Even though it was a simpler era of time, the hardships that they endured then is still prevelent today. I would strongly suggest that anyone suffering these adversities to read this book in order to gain a stronger appreciation for what we have and to gain faith and understanding for tomorrow.

Shadow Dawn is a one-year diary/journal kept by a pioneer "steel magnolia" during the mid-thirties. Mary Adelaide Webb and her Methodist minister husband, Doctor Webb, take the reader on a journey of faith of the shadows before miracle drugs or bypass surgery as well as the joys of their "holy vow" kept throughout a forty-year Christian marriage. The reader is swept up in the optimism Mrs. Webb exhibits even under dire circumstances and the grace she imparts through her thoughts and actions. I wish I could have known Mary Webb; what an inspiration she is!

This is a truly inspirational book and extremely well written. It focuses on the life of two people after the Civil War and the struggles they endured and gives the reader hope and encouragement for a better tomorrow in the world we live. Those principles applied at that time as well as today. The book is a comfort to the hurting in today's world.

...over the past three decades I have traveled to some of the cities listed in the book. I found it great reference reading, and a lot of fun, as I passed through the region. Well worth the price and adding to your North African library. BTW - at least one of the grandchildren of an important Moroccan named in the book was to be found in a Smara house referenced. He'll spin a great yarn, to two, over some mint tea that will add to your understanding of the book.

Enjoy!

The experiences described by Vieuchange are somehow so tangible, that they become like one's own memories or dreams. It could be viewed as a futile, insignificant story, however, there is something in the way Vieuchange throws himself into oblivion for a dream that sleeps in a corner of all of us.

Stumbled onto this small work on a back shelf and bought it for a quick read 15 years ago. I have never stopped thinking about it. It is the personal journal of a young romantic on a personal quest seeking a rumored city lost in the desert of Morocco. The danger, pain and ultimate loss of his life to illness far from home is punctuated by his momentary view of the ruins, which to the true romantic, overshadowed all else. You can put yourself in his place on every page and feel his pain and exhiliration. The book is testimony to his brother who followed his trail to find the truth after his failure to return, and found the journal with the nuns who nursed him till his death. It is truly a gem in the travel book genre.

An amazingly real account from the journals. Steeped in the romantic tradition of solo travel, the account begins in hope and ends in the still silence of illness where no words can be written, though the flicker of hope undoubtedly held on in this man's breast till the end. It is as honest and immediate account of a personal adventure of great risk and pain as can be found in the twentieth century. All travelers should read and admire.... though none should follow.

This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. I normally don't read many biographies or autobiographies, but this one touched my soul. I laughed and cried with the author and her miraculous journey throughout her life. I live in Los Angeles and work at UCLA and could see and feel the atmosphere of her life here. The way she described the Carribean almost made me feel like I had lived there myself, although I have never been there. Her love and support for Sipho went beyond comprehension and is a rare thing nowadays. Ms. Siwisa James has been through so much on her life's journey and I wish her nothing but peace and happiness.

"The South Africa of His Heart" is a really great memoir that holds the reader's attention from the very beginning and doesn't disappoint at the end. I read the last few pages twice because I was so moved by the wonderful sense of satisfaction at the writer's life journey. And not all novels leave you with that feeling of completeness...with just a great ending. "Serendipity" is really apropos in the subtitle.

Though the central story is about an African-American woman and the lasting effect on her life by her marriage to a South African man in exile, it is not a novel geared to one race or sex. It would be unfair to say it's a novel that is for women or to profile it in any way as targeted to one group. I enjoyed it so much because it just spoke to my heart and anyone who has loved and lost love, or had joy and sadness in their life will enjoy it. And that's just about everyone!

I think this book proves that it's not just the rich and famous who have interesting stories to tell (as usually written by ghostwriters) in terms of autobiography. It really shows you that everyday people can often live interesting, exciting lives that are worth reading about. It was a fascinating story about a woman who had an ordinary, but at times, really extraordinary life. And the author, Davida Siwisa James, has a way of sharing events in her life that puts you right in the middle of what she is experiencing. There's a scene with a hurricane in the tropics where you can 'feel' the wind blowing! She has a true gift for words that are beautiful to read and very moving.

It's great to take a chance on a new novelist sometimes. This was a real treat.

Over the years, I have been acquainted with the work of this delightful writer through her various short stories, essays and articles on diverse topics. I have been eagerly awaiting her production of this marvelous work, and it was every bit worth the wait! Throughout this introspective book, the author's descriptive prose and melodic sentence structure serve to deeply involve the reader into the ups and downs and twists and turns of her life. This is definitely a rewarding read and I urge you not to miss it!

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was definitely a page turner. Many times I found myself not wanting to put the book down. The author brought to life the scenic locations of New York, London, Paris, the Caribbean and Los Angeles in a way I haven't read about in a long time. The storm scenes in the Caribbean made me feel like I was experiencing a hurricane for the first time. I was enchanted by the weekend in Paris. Being from Los Angeles I thoroughly enjoyed reading about familiar locations throughout the city. I especially loved the references to UCLA. Reading about Sipho's lasting impression on his homeland through Davida's email communications with his family and fellow countryman was educational indeed. It's nice to read that even when you come out of a life of difficulty (time in Philadelphia) you can turn your life around. It was just a marvelous uplifting story and I can't wait to buy her next book.