Africa Books

This book was really funny! The illustrations were really creative. The words are put right on the illustrations like a comic book so you feel really involved. I like tall tales, and this one is exceptional. The characters are very entertaining and they reminded me of people I know. Everyone should read Master Man -- even grownups!

Foolish Shadusa thinks he's the strongest man in the world and orders his wife to call him "master man". But his wise wife warns him: "Quit your foolish boasting. No matter how strong your are, there will always be someone stronger. And watch out, or someday you may meet him." But Shadusa doesn't listen and when he hears that another man in a nearby village also calls himself "master man", he sets off to confront this imposter and ends up learning his lesson the hard way..... Aaron Shepard and award winning illustrator, David Wisniewski have authored an inspired and creative version of this old Nigerian folktale. The story, told in comic book format, complete with dialogue bubbles, is full of expressive, action packed scenes and colorful, detailed collage artwork that becomes busier and bolder until it almost spills off the pages. The book includes an author's note at the end and youngsters will enjoy learning about the origins and history of this folktale. Perfect for children 4-8, Master Man is a terrific read-aloud story the whole family can share and will make a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

This is our first "We Both Read" book. Believe me it is not to be the last. The first time my first grader and I sat down to read this book, we were hooked. We ended up reading it 3 times that night, and twice the next night. My Son and I had gotten used to either I would read to him or He would struggle to read to me. This way he can read his part with no problems thus increasing his confidence in his reading. I highly recommend them for beginning readers.

This book is a great easy reader. Actually, the whole series is fantastic, as it allows the parent to read to keep the story momentum going, while giving the very early reader manageable bits of mostly decodable text to read. I recommend all of these "We Read Together" titles.

This is actually the fourth in a series of books by John & Ruth Picard on antique trade beads. Essentially this volume is a 90-page descriptive catalog of Venitian Millifiore beads used for trade with Africa. Large format and measuring 8 1/2 by 11 inches ( or 21.5 by 28 cm), One of the most attractive and obvious peatures is that every bead is pictured in color and if known, details of the manufacturing process are provided! The Picards open by describing how these beads were made and defining some of the terms used throughout. Millifiore means "Thousand Flowers" in the Italian language, and indeed many of these beads seem to boast floral patterns. ALso included is a helpful article by Jamey Allen, "A Short History of Millifiore Work".

Each one of these beads is a mini work of art, truely lovely to behold. If you are lucky enough to have some of these little treasures, or simply have an interest in glasswork and history, you will probably enjoy leafing through this work. Happy Beading :)

This book offers a comprehrensive insight in the colourful world of the many types beads used in the trade with West Africa. With about 3000 diffrent colour combinations of glass beads. A must for every collector of beads. And fun to recognise the collected beads.

Misoso is a wonderfully written children's book. The pictures are vivid and the storylines do not follow the typical American storyline pattern, making this book a fascinating experience to most children. In all my years of taking care of children, I have never found a single child that did not love this book. I even occasionally see a teenager or two lingering in the doorway when I read Misoso to children. This is why Misoso is my #1 pick for children books.

I was given a copy of Misoso for my birthday. It was a gift from one of my best sister-friends when she found that I was to become an aunt.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this to my niece, who is now 5 years old. pssssst(I also keep a copy in my office)This book is entirely appealing. The stories will transport one to a different time and place. The pictures are simply gorgeous ...the size of the pages are perfect for reading to groups of children, the vibrant colors, the rhythmic language...If only the prints in the book were commercially available....

It has replaced Make Way for Duckling and Where the Wild Things Are as my favorite children's books. If things couldn't get any better, this book is a compilation of SEVERAL stories.

The lessons learned in this book are universal; hence, children of all ethnicities will appreciate them. This book DEMANDS to be read out loud; luckily, Ms. Aardema's flare for words can make a lyrical storyteller out of anyone.

The author's experience as an information officer with the United nations Mission in Somalia (UNOSOM) provides accurate information for the public on the achievement of the UN/US intervention in Somalia. Her narrative puts the record straight by correcting sensational and incomplete international media reports which helped create the impression that the intervention was a failure. With numerous examples such as the prevention of famine, the checking of cholera, the development of markets, the promotion of cattle and fruit exports and the non-retrogression into total anarchy when the UN pulled in March 1995, Fogarassy points out that these significant developments were ignored by the international media because they lacked commercial newsworthiness.

By introducing a Media Unit as part of its operation in Somalia, the UN was capable of more effective communication with the Somalis by radio and print. The services of the Media Unit were invaluable in assisting the Somali reconciliation meetings in Kismayo, Mogadishu and Nairobi. Additionally, the Media Unit complemented the operations of other UNOSOM departments (Justice, Political, Humanitarian and Disarmament, Demining and Demobilisation), as well as those of other international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The UNOSOM operation highlighted a number of shortcomings in the UN's efficiency in managing field operations needing review, including in recruitment, management and control. Frequent changes in top management undercut mutual trust between Somalis and the international community while disruptive rivalries between the Media Unit chief and the spokesman led to dysfunction in processing and distribution of information, one reason for the international media not obtaining wider coverage of UNOSOM activities.

The UNOSOM compound facilitated the harmonious co-existence of people from diverse cultures, who realised that racial and cultural stereotyping masked much in common to all societies regardless of religion, race or culture. This awareness helped to appreciate that adversarial politics and political party organisations, the basis of democratic systems in western society, are not readily applicable to the Somali context where individualism and communalism are the norms, with decisions reached after extensive consultations among clans and factions. The international community found it convenient to look to Aidid and Ali Mahdi, the principle leaders of two main groups of clan and factional alliances, and they held these two responsible for agreements entered into on behalf of their allies. It was not appreciated that both leaders had very lax disciplinary power over their allies, unlike in a traditional developed country political party organisation. By the same token, the international community, especially the US, was impatient with the long Somali process of consultations and hence, the premature abandonment of the Mission when dividends from the intervention were yielding fruit.

One important lesson from the Somalia operation was that treating the host country with condescension prevented the international community from understanding the Somali psyche. It hindered a faster rate of progress in the restoration of peace and stability. Using utilitarian instruments of incentives and sanctions to achieve goals was counter-productive, yet when funds and facilities for reconciliation meetings were offered, a number of initiatives for reconciliations emerged. Reconciliation that could have led to the formation of a national government was slowed by the Somalis trying to settle historically outstanding clan differences that ranked higher in their priorities.

This book is a didactic source of information on what transpired in Somalia. It makes the case that the intervention was successful and it appeals for a tapping of the UN's extensive facilities for information the commercial media can use.

Mission Improbable gives a very accurate and comprehensive history of the UN operation in Somalia from the historical, political, operational, bureaucratic and personal levels. It describes the anguish of a people struggling to cope both with their own fragmented leadership and with an alien monolith, represented by UNOSOM, in their midst.

The book details the minutiae of a UN bureaucracy at its best and at its worst. On the one hand, it shows how a group of dedicated people representing virtually every culture from around the world can establish themselves in a particularly harsh and dangerous environment, risking their lives to help a desperately needy country get back on its feet and restore its social, economic and political infrastructure.

On the other hand, it demonstrates the ill-preparedness of the Organization, as a reflection of the ill-preparedness of its member state components, to truly understand and to effectively deal with the unique Somalian culture whose goals were essentially parallel to, if not identical with, the UNOSOM mission.

The book touches repeatedly upon the day-to-day frustrations of a transplanted UN bureaucracy, including the furiously circuitous paths that must be taken to get seemingly simple things accomplished, from procuring toilet paper for personal use to trying to explain the whereabouts of a suddenly missing $4 million in cash.

The author explains the conflicts between the age-old Somali clan system, the glue that holds the Somali people together, and the upstart international presence. Most importantly, she explains that this was the fundamental reason behind the inability of the two cultures to communicate meaningfully with one another and which led to the collapse of the international effort to resolve the problem. Nevertheless, as is repeatedly intimated, the Somali people represented by the opposing factions and left to their own devices, are making headway in the formation of a new government which will bring an end to their years of misery.

Overall, this book provides an absolutely unique insight into the UN operation in Somalia and serves to place in a remarkable light the peace that the Somalis are trying to achieve after an important jump-start from the United Nations.

Failing his exams, the hero of this tale, embarassed and forlorn, returning in shame to his village in the Southern Cameroons, dreading an encounter with his ambitious and domineering father, has the good fortune of being sent to the upcountry, Kala, to effect the return of a fellow-villager's wife. Negotiations with the man's father-in-law had not been successful, and Niam needed his wife to return to farm his crops. In the upcountry, Jean-Marie Medza's relatives honor him because he is a city man and he is educated. In the course of talking about geography and other matters learned in college, he becomes all too aware of the gaps in his knowledge. He thinks, why should boys be tortured learning things only half-known by their teachers, things such as the conditions in Russia.

Medza stays with his cousin Zambo and Zambo's parents. Zambo's father, the uncle, is a furniture-maker and farms along with everyone else. Cocoa is near the settlement and the other crops of ground nuts, yams, bananas, manioc are planted as far away as possible to leave room for the cocoa-plantations to be extended. Over time the uncle takes charge of the social calendar of Medza, a popular guest. After the visits presents arrive. The older people send sheep, the younger ones chickens. Medza divides the livestock with his uncle pursuant to their blood-kinship. The description of how the village lays seige to him in a social sense is comical. Young boys wanted to be taught, girls entertained, people his own age cavorted with him afternoons, and the elderly surrounded him in the evenings. The older people had more resources in this traditional society and so were able to claim the greater share of Medza's attention. Kala was a large village, and so Medza could have spent the greater part of a year dining from hut to hut.

In the fourth week of the visit things come to a head. Niam's wife shows up in the company of a man with whom she had been living. (She knew that Jean-Marie had been looking for her.) Brought before the chief, the fine for adultery is imposed, two thousand francs or four healthy rams or two ewes. Jean-Marie is instructed to take Niam's wife home with him, but before that there is to be a party at the chief's residence. During the party Jean-Marie marries the chief's daughter, Edima. Afterwards he fears the reaction of his father to his new state of matrimony.

He returns home. His uncle is to follow with his flock, Naim's wife, and his own wife. Jean-Marie describes his father as a case of western hypocrisy and commercial materialism grafted onto an African intelligence. After his wife arrives along with the others from Kala, Jean-Marie and his father have a terrible fight. He and his cousin Zambo depart, and although the following October Jean-Marie passes his exams and gets a job, he never returns for his wife. The book is very strong, very interesting. The story is told simply and effectively.

By golly! I am glad I read this book, and will surely read it again. Mongo Beti has captured so well what any person who has spent considerable time in a Cameroonian village will only be lucky, perhaps, to see today. The attitudes of the local people towards western ideas and education, the genesis of what has become a bona fide inferiority complex of the locals vis-a-vis the white man and his ideas are vividly portrayed by a master storyteller. A failed western scholar, Medza, is paraded as a hero by the locals, even as he himself sees more worthy heroes among those who pay him court. But he is not unwilling, and in fact is quite happy, to accept the undeserved accolades, and to profit from it as much as he could even as every instinct in him fights the imorality of his decisions. In the final analysis, Medza, our hero, is the embodiment of the "educated" elite that has led Cameroon since independence--an elite aptly incapable of leading the a local populace whose ideals and ideas they have been trained to despise. But in the end one has a certain sympathy for Medza. He has only wanted to do the right thing but has been caught between what his heart wants--a trully idealic traditional village way of life, and the idiosyncracies of a dictatorial father who wants to make a black whiteman out of him. Why do I feel sorry for him then? Because his is a story I understand.

Bison Books has done lovers of Americana a great service by re-publishing this collection of short war-pieces by the great Joe Liebling. It was originally published by Schocken (Liebling's only book in that house?) in 1964, shortly after his death.

These days, most readers would know Liebling's New York City pieces, full of sociologically outlandish characters, comically drawn. The soldiers (and others) Liebling describes in North Africa are people rather than characters, and the outlandishness arises from the situation of war. The comedy is replaced with a deeper humor. The reviewer of February 19th 2006 says "everyone is [Liebling's] friend", and everyone was his friend, in the war zone; readers used to an acerbic Liebling will find a different sort of journalist here, more kind-hearted, odd as that word may seem when used of the guy who wrote the old 42nd Street grotesque, "The Jollity Building". And more truthful as well; the New York City writings are naturalistic but synthetic, recombinant and illustrative. These soldiers in "Mollie", American, British, or French, are real as well as realistic, with real families and neighborhoods who noticed when they didn't come back. Journalistic ethics and military credentials demanded veracity . As well as a kind heart.

The publishers notes (above) give you the details. But this book is a keeper. Liebling has a warm and caring and unpretentious style of writing. Everyone is his friend. He doesnt hide any of the nasty details about war or people, rather, what's missing is the self-righteous indignation and arrogance and insolence that characterizes modern journalism's judgments about people and events. Liebling takes people and events as they come and as they are. Liebling didnt believe he was superior to the people he wrote about, and he didnt pretend to be a General. You'll enjoy reading his tales.

Kourouma creates a narrative in "Monnew" as complex and compelling as Joyce's "Ulysses." The narrative is divided among an indeterminate number of voices (most likely two or three) and in doing so places the reader among the events in the text. The different narratives conflict, and tell different stories of the same event. The reader is thrown amongst this conflictual narrative equipped, with the sharp sarcasm Kourouma is known for, for a reason. The reader cannot truly rely on the narrative and therefore must interpret the situations much in the same way the griot interprets the situation previous to composing an epic or oral tale of it. This unique relationship that Kourouma allows the reader to establish is both engaging and incredibly unique.
Kourouma like many of the top African authors deals with not only the wrongs of colonialism but patriarchy as well. In the west we do not see such compassion for the oppressed gender, as most of our canon consists of European (or of European descent) males writing about men like themselves and not usually giving round characters to the women they portray. Kourouma portrays the strength of the African woman most notably in chapter ten and the ending of the novel with the wife, Moussokoro of the Keita king Djigui.
Kourouma is writing for a purpose in this novel. Like his contemporaries (Ayi Kwei Armah in "2000 Seasons") Kourouma has an incredible ability to deal with history in a way that is encompassing and exciting. By the end of the novel the protagonist who is close to anti-hero status is older than anyone is willing to count and the dawn of African independence is at hand and with it a plethora of new conflicts to confront. In this sense it is somewhat geographically associated prequel to his first novel "THE SUNS OF INDEPENDENCE," which deals with the problems found at the end of "Monnew," throughout its exposition.
This book is at the top of the African Literature reading list. In terms of literature as a whole it is an incredible masterpiece worthy of the world reading. "Monnew" creates such a vivid reading experience that I would recomend it to anyone interested in African Literature, African/World history, or contemporary literary classics that are sure to be enjoyed for a long time.

Kourouma creates a narrative in "Monnew" as complex and compelling as Joyce's "Ulysses." The narrative is divided among an indeterminate number of voices (most likely two or three) and in doing so places the reader among the events in the text. The different narratives conflict, and tell different stories of the same event. The reader is thrown amongst this conflictual narrative equipped, with the sharp sarcasm Kourouma is known for, for a reason. The reader cannot truly rely on the narrative and therefore must interpret the situations much in the same way the griot interprets the situation previous to composing an epic or oral tale of it. This unique relationship that Kourouma allows the reader to establish is both engaging and incredibly unique.
Kourouma like many of the top African authors deals with not only the wrongs of colonialism but patriarchy as well. In the west we do not see such compassion for the oppressed gender, as most of our canon consists of European (or of European descent) males writing about men like themselves and not usually giving round characters to the women they portray. Kourouma portrays the strength of the African woman most notably in chapter ten and the ending of the novel with the wife, Moussokoro of the Keita king Djigui.
Kourouma is writing for a purpose in this novel. Like his contemporaries (Ayi Kwei Armah in "2000 Seasons") Kourouma has an incredible ability to deal with history in a way that is encompassing and exciting. By the end of the novel the protagonist who is close to anti-hero status is older than anyone is willing to count and the dawn of African independence is at hand and with it a plethora of new conflicts to confront. In this sense it is somewhat geographically associated prequel to his first novel "THE SUNS OF INDEPENDENCE," which deals with the problems found at the end of "Monnew," throughout its exposition.
This book is at the top of the African Literature reading list. In terms of literature as a whole it is an incredible masterpiece worthy of the world reading. "Monnew" creates such a vivid reading experience that I would recomend it to anyone interested in African Literature, African/World history, or contemporary literary classics that are sure to be enjoyed for a long time.

MR. VON CAMPE HAS THE BACKGROUND TO TELL US(U.S. CITIZENS)THAT WHICH WE MAY NOT WISH TO HEAR. THE TRUTH OF CHRIST IS IN THIS REMARKABLE PERSONAL HISTORY.

The author Hilmar von Campe has written and extraordinary book during this age of globalization. He claims to have such insight by witnessing the changes he grew up with in Germany under Hitler's regime. He also noted that Stalin freely used Hitler to weaken the West so Communism could reign in the end and that very plan is still in existence.

He has a very simply message, freedom is based on truth and when the truth is weaken or obscure then it will end up the victim of baffle by Apostles of Confusion and few freedoms for anyone. The writer said he came to this revelation when he had to confront his own nation's atrocities of discrimination and hate after the war. He gained great strength by learning and expressing the truth in all that he endeavors in his life. Especially being a victim as a POW after the war watching his friends die in vain.

The essayist's belief that freedom is a moral force that must confront and fight evil is everyone's responsibility and he cites seeing how many bystanders of the Holocaust were just as guilty as the perpetrators of it. He can see the same threat as moderate believers of Islam remain silent as extremists use the Koran to kill, maim and discriminate against the innocent.

The author feels America is the nation he fears the most because if America loses his way the world will be lost too. He sees the coming Globalization as threat if socialists and communists beliefs and forces are embraced and integrated into our world since they are not based on truthful philosophies.

He makes a very good argument that every Communist and Socialist nation ends up in totalitarian dictatorships eventually. The belief that everyone must walk the same path so all can share is simply ends in the slavery of untruths. The world has been enlighten by those who lead by following their own conscience and fundamental honesty of respecting everyone's individual right to be free. Consequently, every person must seek and practice the truth to follow their moral compass of compassion as they choose not as dictated by others.

Aristotle once argued that the fundamental values of individual choice could lift an entire nation or group to prosperity as opposed to his teacher Plato who justified that sometimes the ends do justify the means. There can be no question that socialism and communism are abysmal failures for any society. Yet, globalization embracing such policies will do exactly that if it is permitted to flourish using such a false premise.

I found this book a compelling indictment and words of warning that the world should walk carefully and thoughtfully to the ends of globalization. In the end, if our leadership is vacant of moral truths, then like anyone, our leaders will fall victim to anything if they do not stand for something.

This is an exceptional book on the history of Queen Nanny. This book provides a great account of Queen Nanny in Jamaica from the perspective of the Maroons, Jamaicans, and British. There are plenty of historical references sprinkled throughout the literature so that the reader can do their own research. I have a sense that she was the original "Wonder Woman" as she lived on a true "Paradise Island" and could not just stop bullets but also "catch" them. The book goes into detail about the metaphysical importance of an Obeah woman and how her power kept the strong African spirit alive within the Jamaican Maroons. It is empowering to read how such few people were able to defeat the British in so many battles. The book is brief but packed with informative information on this little known person. As a man descended from the Akan, I felt proud how the African rituals were continued in Jamaica for those that escaped human bondage. This is a great read for both men and women.

This is a small book, 119 pages, that cuts a big swath. It is about an interesting period and a lively woman of the early 18th Century, someone who never made it into any of my history books. I certainly know about her now. Gottlieb pulls together threads from many sources into one rich fabric. This is a progressive book about colonialism, racism, feminism, about military srategy, about the West-African-rooted religious traditions and the use of supernatural powers that made their way into the Maroon Culture. Gottlieb obviously has great respect for her subject -- this remarkable woman, Nanny, part historical figure, part legend -- who represents a courageous struggle against oppression. The book is well-researched, illustrated, and spirited reading. Some of the historical documents can be bypassed if not interested. One is impressed with its relevance to the very same "isms" that continue to torment us in the 21st century.