Africa Books

"Restriction of land ownership on a racial basis shall be ended and all the land redivided amongst those who work it... That state shall help the peasants... Freedom of movement shall be guaranteed...All shall have the right to occupy land... People shall not be robbed of their cattle, and forced labor and farm prisons shall be abolished."

These are excerpts from the Freedom Charter of the South African National Congress, which led the revolution against apartheid to victory in the 1990s. Was it supported by the leaders of the "Free World", the U.S. and U.K., who are now waging war in Iraq and Afghanistan for "democracy"? Not on your life. They supported and profited from the apartheid system. Learn how forefathers of today's imperialists took the land of South Africa by force and unspeakable terrorist violence against the masses of South Africa.

Other suggested Reading: The Struggle is My Life by Nelson Mandela
New International No. 5, "The Coming Revolution in South Africa," by Jack Barnes.

Written before the overthrow of apartheid in 1990, this 69-page booklet nonetheless provides an essential collection of facts describing an important method that the minority government used to maintain its rule.

Practically from the time they set foot in what has become South Africa, white settlers from Europe laid out plans to disenfranchise blacks from their land. Through a series of wars, laws and theft, the descendants of Dutch and British settlers managed to disposses blacks and appropriate 87 percent of the land for themselves.

The great land theft was as vital to sustaining apartheid as was cheap black labor in the nation's gold and diamond mines and other industries. But from the beginning, blacks resisted white claims on their land, which became codified in the Freedom Charter of the African National Congress. Its leader, Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned for his fight against apartheid, became the first president of free South Africa in 1994.

Harsch's pamphlet is based on two articles he wrote in the Dec. 16, 1985 and Dec. 30, 1985 issues of the newsweekly Intercontinental Press. He describes the social inequalities of apartheid land system, and the fight to eradicate them.

Black farmers were turned into sharecroppers, land tenants and peasants on land that they had farmed communally for centuries before the arrival of the white settlers.

When they were given some land, it was often the least arable and only in small plots. White farmers benefited from government loans and assistance, while blacks were left on their own.

White farmers often preferred to hire black women in the fields because the lack of child care meant they also benefited from the labor of their children, Harsch reports. Beatings and punishment of blacks were common.

The apartheid masters created 10 Bantusans, so-called national homelands for blacks. But they were a cruel joke. In the Ciskei homeland, Harsch writes, dry land conditions managed to feed very few people. "Just 27,000 of the 375,000 rural Ciskeians have enough land to enable them to also keep cattle. Nearly a third of the Ciskei's people have no land at all," according to Harsch. "In the Ciskei, 40 percent of the population is unemployed, and 89 percent of the children suffer from malnutrition." This, in one of Africa's richest countries.

Important changes have occurred in South Africa since the struggle against apartheid succeeded in bringing down that hated system and putting Nelson Mandela at the head of a new nation. This little book was written before this transformation but it documents the urgency of one of the central remaining tasks. What must now be completed is "seizing the land from the dispossessor," as one of Mandela's close comrades put it. In other words a radical land reform that would open the land to those whose ancestors were forcibly driven from it. Why is the question of land ownership so important in South Africa today? This book explains how the central pillar of apartheid was the expulsion of native farmers from their land. Many did not even have a concept of private ownership, they simply farmed it in common. As Harsch points out, 87% of land became restricted only to whites. The author explains in a very readable way how land-theft was at the very center of the steps that marginalized the Black toilers. A fight for land-reform is necessary in order to build a worker-farmer alliance, the author cogently argues In so doing he affirms one of the chief demands contained in the freedom charter of Mandela's African National Congress-"the land must be shared among those who work it." Steve Clark's introduction helps to link Harsch's book to other valuable readings.

This book covers the overlooked area of African Gold. It shows how Africa contributed to The World's gold culture and How Ashanti Goldfields LTd. is continuing that legacy.

This book is incredible! It offers a rich history of the area in west Africa made famous not only for its gold, but for the millions of people sold off into slavery throughout the dark years of new world colonization in the post-Columbus era. The photos are breathtaking, and the text full of wonderful imagery and stories... I would recommend this book to anyone with a love of African history and an eye for beauty! It makes an amazing coffee table book and a wonderful gift.

This book is incredible! It offers a rich history of the area in west Africa made famous not only for its gold, but for the millions of people sold off into slavery throughout the dark years of new world colonization in the post-Columbus era. The photos are breathtaking, and the text full of wonderful imagery and stories... I would recommend this book to anyone with a love of African history and an eye for beauty! It makes an amazing coffee table book and a wonderful gift.

Finally...a book with real people talking about a real issue. the 2nd aWAKE project book is better than the first! And the essay by the 11 year old, Ellie Ambrose - such a sweet girl! Ellie helped raised close to $30 thousand dollars for africa at her race in Nashville, TN the weekend of September 24th. You can (...)

This book revolutionized my thinking about the AIDS crisis in Africa. I mean, I knew it was bad, but 5,500 Africans die from AIDS each and every day - that's 2,007,500 people evey year in Africa alone. When this is happening and we sit idly by doing nothing to help, not even noticing the plight of these poor people, it's disgusting. Children are born to parents with AIDS, are themselves infected and then orphaned when their parents die of the disease. They end up in ophanages with terrible living conditions, consigned to thier fate. No one wants to adopt a child that they know will die.

The book is not written in novel format, rather it is a compilation of letter from great minds worlwide: Nelson Mandela, George W. Bush, not to mention my new personal hero Bono of U2, and the list goes on forever. Though it is broken into letters, it is still very readable, though I would only recommend it for teenagers and up.

If you don't want to have your heart broken for the African people to the point of inability to remain silent and still, don't read this book. It will change you; it will mark you, and you will be compelled to respond to the call to action.

This book changed my life. The facts about what's really going on in Africa shocked me. The stories of women, men, and children suffering from the disease broke my heart. I've now made this my personal crusade!

If you want to learn a bit about Africa, this is the text for you.

After reading this informative compilation of essays from various "Africa" experts I came away more heartened than I expected. Despite the oppressive news reports with dire predictions of the decay, destruction and degeneration of African culture, politics and social landscape, this book tries to shift the outlook by showing possibilities where we have traditionally seen problems. While other countries are strategically positioning themselves for what may be a new order of the African continent, America seems to be content in its paternalistic charitable mindset. Hopefully, if the perspective contained in this book is adopted, America may realize that the alignment of its own interest and that of Africa may be mutually beneficial. Africa is not the afflicted continent.

This is a fascinating compilation of pieces from an exceptional group of experts about a wide array of regions and issues facing the African continent. Anyone who is interested in learning about the complexities of African life beyond Darfur and the AIDS epidemic should read this book. It's laid out beautifully and in comprehensive sections, each with a variety of essays exploring topics from South Africa to Nigeria, from the youth bulge to terrorism. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a more in-depth look at Africa than can be found in the daily headlines.

The Bible in Africa covers a rich tapestry of topics, related to the Bible and how it is read and interpreted in Africa. There are over 30 essays written by scholars from all parts of Africa. The essays deal with diverse such topics as Bible Translation in Africa, The reading of the Bible in African Indigenous Churches and particular issues relating to various African peoples and their reception of the Bible. Of particular interest are a number of review essays which cover Biblical Studies in Afica in the Twentieth Century and a comprehensive Bibliography of all known Publications on the Bible produced in or about Africa.

The Bible in Africa covers a rich tapestry of topics, related to the Bible and how it is read and interpreted in Africa. There are over 30 essays written by scholars from all parts of Africa. The essays deal with diverse such topics as Bible Translation in Africa, The reading of the Bible in African Indigenous Churches and particular issues relating to various African peoples and their reception of the Bible. Of particular interest are a number of review essays which cover Biblical Studies in Afica in the Twentieth Century and a comprehensive Bibliography of all known Publications on the Bible produced in or about Africa.

The Bible in Africa covers a rich tapestry of topics, related to the Bible and how it is read and interpreted in Africa. There are over 30 essays written by scholars from all parts of Africa. The essays deal with such diverse topics as Bible Translation in Africa, The reading of the Bible in African Indigenous Churches and particular issues relating to various African peoples and their reception of the Bible. Of particular interest are a number of review essays which cover Biblical Studies in Afica in the Twentieth Century and a comprehensive Bibliography of Publications on the Bible produced in or about Africa.

Steve Biko definately showed his views on black conciouseness in this book. This really proved that he was a wonderful and brilliant man. I am definately glad that I read this.

i think steve biko was a man of right he is so wonderful and when i read the book and wached the video i was tuched by the words that donnaled woods had used i have his book under my bed and i pray evey night that i can be just like steve biko i wish that the people that did that to him should have died strate away and go toHELL. i would love to have seen him and tell him HE HAS MAKE A DIFFERENT I LOVE STEVE BIKO PEACE OUT TO THE BLACK

This book is an excellent source for seeing the experience of apartheid from which the theory of black consciousness emerged. Biko lucidly articulates both the people and the regime he found himself in conflict with, and parallel's between his appraisal and his idea's are made clear. A must read for anyone who wants to get a full understanding of black consciousness.

Black on Black uses the works of Du Bois and Alice Walker as a framework for tracking the authors' rejection of Ethiopianism in literature. In the 1920s some blacks began questioning the popular foundations of Ethiopianism: by the 1950s and 60s, rejection was in full swing. This examines the foundations and history of 20th century Afro-American literature about Africa and provides some important perspectives.

Black On Black uses the works of Du Bois and Alice Walker as a framework for tracking the authors' rejection of Ethiopianism in literature. In the 1920s some blacks began questioning the popular foundations of Ethiopianism: by the 1950s and 60s, rejection was in full swing. Black On Black examines the foundations and history of 20th century Afro-American literature about Africa and provides some important perspectives.

In Black on Black, John Gruesser begins with Du Bois and Alice Walker's writings and tracks the growing rejection of the Ethiopianist stand in literature, from the 1920s when black writers began questioning its tenants to its final rejection in the 1950s. The view that black Americans will deliver a bright future to Africa is refuted in this survey of 20th century Afro-American writings about Africa.

Ivan Van Sertima does it again with this amazing book, profiling various African women throughout history, with the words and research of the best scholars. In this book, it begins with the scientific mother of civilization, know dubbed Lucy, who's bones were found in Ethiopia. If what archeaologist know have is correct, an African women birthed all the peoples of the earth 150,000 years ago. This book also touches on Hapshesut, who was probably, the most outspoken women in Egypt, who refused to take the back seat to then Thutmose III, and ruled Egypt as a man. Next this novel goes to the Queen Candaces. During the Invasions of Alexander, the Candaces fought him off and refused to allow him and his men to enter Nubia, after they had capitures Africa's most known daughter Egypt. Another point, but not the least this book touches on is Nzhinga. Nzhinga fought the Portugese invasions off, refused to become a Christian and adopt a Christian name, and fought to stop the slavery that was then, in it's beginning stages.

In the end, this book is excellent and lives up to the standard that we are used to getting from Van Sertima. This is an asset to every Libary.

THIS IS A WELL RESEARCHED AND VERY SCHOLARLY BOOK. IVAN VAN SERTIMA AS WELL AS THE CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS WORK HAVE PRODUCED MUCH INSIGHT ON AFRICAN WOMEN IN WORLD HITORY LIKE QUEEN NZINGA, THE CANDACE QUEENS, MAKEDA (QUEEN SHEBA, HATSHEPSUT AND MANY OTHERS. I FEEL THAT THIS WORK IS OF GREAT SIGNIFIGANCE AND SHOULD BE READ BY ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE ROLE OF AFRICAN WOMEN IN WORLD HISTORY.

Without being too lengthy, this book thoroughly covers the real and mythical images of the Black woman. It is a wonderful collection of essays from various authors such as the late, great John Henrik Clarke. Historical without afrocentricism. Balanced yet interesting. Do yourself a favor. Purchase the book and order tapes from the back of the book. Another fearless accomplishment by Van Sertima.

Ewuare takes an honest and bold stance to tackle the issues that no one wants to discuss. It is hard to choose a "best" poem as each one leaped into my world as being relevant. This book has made me take a long hard look at myself as an African American women.

I can no longer sit back and "look the other way" to injustices committed against the human race based on color, gender and socio economical status.

I AM.....MY BROTHERS KEEPER!!!

Ewuare is insightful and knowledgeable about history and the state of our nation and those abroad.

He exposes the lies that we have been fed, through the media, the judicial system, corporate world, the video and rap world.

He calls for responsibility and accountablity from every human being on the face of this earth!

EVERYONE in the world, regardless of race, color, belief or creed should read this book.

Blood Luxury arms you with knowledge, and knowledge is POWER!

I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST RELEVANT AND INSIGHTFUL BOOKS THAT I HAVE EVER READ!

YOU MUST READ THIS.

I was challenged by the poems to think... "what is really going on in the world today?" I was overcome with raw emotions that I had put away since I "grew up"! To pick a favorite or try to make one poem favorite would not give the poet his just due. For all in their own right spoke volumes to my spirit & soul!

Acclaimed author and activist Ewuare Osayande has written a new book of poems entitled Blood Luxury that is now available in bookstores and on Amazon.com. The Quarterly Black Review has called Osayande, "one of Black America's newest insurgent intellectuals."

Blood Luxury, published by Africa World Press, is Osayande's thirteenth book in as many years. His other books include, Black Anti-Ballistic Missives: Resisting War/Resisting Racism and Caught at the Crossroads Without a Map. This is his first book with Africa World Press.

World renowned poet Amiri Baraka provides the introduction to the book. In it he writes, "Ewuare is like the image Mao posed about Revolution, a ship yet some distance away, but whose tail and inspiring sails are already visible. Take this book as this brother's imposing sail, already aware of how to use the turbulence of the crooked to give fuel to his focus."

International in its scope, Osayande's poetry offers an uncompromising look at the world from the vantage of the oppressed. In so doing, Blood Luxury continues in the tradition of Pan-African/Third World literature. In it Osayande addresses such issues as sweatshop labor in China and Indonesia, conflict diamonds in West Africa, the war in Iraq as well as the Palestinian conflict. According to Dr. Mary Dillard, associate professor of African History at Sarah Lawrence College, Blood Luxury is "an unflinching critique of racism, sexism and hypocrisy. He takes us around the world and back. From each location, Osayande provides a stinging assessment of the ravages of global capitalism."

Blood Luxury also features homage and celebration poems to Black icons of the past and present such as Ossie Davis, Gwendolyn Brooks, Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Amiri Baraka. "Fiery and Explicit, Focused and Unsparing ... Explosive and Spirited in his metaphor" writes Black Arts Movement poet Askia Muhammad Toure'. He continues, "Our revolutionary passion continues on in this our heir and Jeremiah to the Hip-Hop Nation."

According to Broadside era poet and author Everett Hoagland, "the best of Osayande's tell-it-like-it-tiz poems deserve to be as well known as the revolutionary poems of Langston Hughes, Amiri Barka, Sonia Sanchez and Haki Madhubuti."

This is a great read for anyone interested in human evolution. It includes all of the most recent fossil hominid discoveries as well as providing an up-to-date overview and systematic analysis of human evolution over the last 6 million years or so (including molecular - archaeological information). It provides a convincing argument for the 'Out of Africa' Hypothesis for modern human origins. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in evolution and human and great ape evolution in particular.

Cameron and Groves have produced a handsome volume that details the anatomical structure of the species immediately ancestral to homo sapiens, and fleshes out the multiple "Out of Africa" episodes that have characterised the longer span of human evolution.

Full of ecological and detailed anatomical descriptions of the key species in human evolution, this volume very rarely, if not uniquely, integrates the story of hominid anatomical adaptation and modification across the Miocene through to the Holocene.

Students of paleoanthropology will not find a more thorough one volume overview, which while going far beyond being an introduction, admirably serves that role to.

For those who want to come to grips with, at a very detailed level, the drivers and form of anatomical and associated behavioural change amongst the human ancestral species, this Cameron/Groves volume is the ideal reference.

Alternating between hard-core and literary, "Bones, Stones and Molecules" covers all of the latest anthropological discoveries and developments. Sahelanthropus and Orrorin are breaking news in paleoanthropology and are covered early in the book. These two new fossils are from the "wrong" side of the Great Rift Valley and neatly dispense with another recent favorite theory of human origins that involved the stranding of Old World and New World monkeys on either side of the Great Rift.

"Out of Africa" versus the "Multiregional" hypothesis are the book's main focus, and "Out of Africa" comes out the clear winner. David Cameron and Colin Groves each have their own slant on human origins, and these are clearly depicted in dozens of cladograms, each co-author posing variations. There are numerous sketches and photographs, and brief boxed interludes that also display a sense of humor.

"Bones, Stones and Molecules" introduces Groves' strong background in Australian fossils, the controversy over the timeline of Australian colonization has ramifications that affect much of anthropology. This is a solid book best suited to those with previous knowledge of the field. The appendix provides mathematical proof of assertions made in the book, hundreds of anatomical measurements are detailed. There are very few works that achieve such an excellent balance between mathematical rigor and literary readability.