This is a wonderful and compelling story, beautifully written. Sympathetic characters, accurate historical information and context. Very moving. Difficult to put the book down.

I brought back two copies of this book from South Africa, and have urged it upon many friends. Everyone says it is one of the most beautiful pieces they have read in years. The reader becomes enmeshed in more "circles" than than you will ever know. You will understand more about elephants and people who love forest and animals than you ever thought possible.

A well wriiten account of life in the Indigenous Knysna forest of South Africa that made you not want to put the book down.

Joan Peterson, the culinary mistress of the EAT SMART series, returns to feed our continuing love affair with foreign foods and flavors in her latest book, Eat Smart in Morocco. As much a travel guide as it is a cookbook, Peterson shares her knowledge of the history and cultural significance of native dishes as well as the traditions and secrets of Moroccan cooks. Her culinary tribute to the land and its people should be part of an official welcome packet given to every foreign visitor when they first step on Moroccan soil. As she writes, "What better way to know a culture than through its cuisine." Particularly helpful to travelers are her bilingual menu, and food and flavor guides. Whether you're a novice or experienced traveler, Eat Smart in Morocco is the perfect reference for a memorable culinary journey. --Kimberly Ouhirra, President, Exotica Oils, Inc.

"Eat Smart in Morocco" uses significant historical facts to trace the rich culinary treasures of Morocco and its land. Readers can become more familiar with the culture and civilization through this guidebook and delight themselves with recipes from various contributors. The guidebook confirms that we can touch the heart of another culture through the flavors of its food and experience a gastronomic journey.
----Rafih Bengelloun, chef/owner of the Imperial Fez restaurant in Atlanta

This book is one of a type I was not familiar with: books for travelers who are also "foodies", that is, people for whom trying the local food is one of their main pleasures while traveling.

This book will let foodies explore Morocco's rich and unique cuisine in thier homes before leaving via descriptions of both the food and its context, and it even provides recipes to try first. Once in Morocco, there is a directory of regional cuisine, and a menu guide with transliterated Arabic names of dishes to help in ordering. I find Moroccan food some of the world's best and most varied, and this book makes it accessible to everyone.

I've traveled and worked in Morocco off and on for the last 35 years, and can attest that the recipes and descriptions are well-researched and accurate. Readers should enjoy this book, as a travel guide or as a 'virtual' trip to Morocco.

I'm a dabbler in Ancient Egyptian history and this is a great buy. At under $15 I think it's a great deal considering it's hardcover and has a TON of full color pictures. It covers a wide array of topics from Geography to Pharoahs. The book is handsome enough to display on a coffee table, detailed enough to get a taste of ancient egypt, and still simple enough that it would make a terrific gift for a child of any age (I'm 23 and I think this book is fantastic).

Other topics include: daily life of the Egyptian (not just nobility!), tools, jewelry, mummification, writing system, agriculture, textiles, food, religion.

I think that Eyewitness:Ancient Egypt is an amazing book. I liked how they wrote about how the Egyptians built their pyramids. If you are thinking about reading this book you should,because you will learn alot. Belive me, it's a very interesting book.

this is a great book on ancient egypt. this book has 60 pages that are filled with lots of info. this book has a great overveiw on ancient egypt and is filled with lots of great colored pictures on every page. if you are into ancient egypt you will want to buy this book that is great for all ages.

This book is beautiful. It has beautiful photography, and beautiful text by a man who is of the Masai tribe. I was sad, however, to read that the author of the text (Tepilit Ole Saitoti) says that the Masai way of life is destined for extinction. Though this is inevitable for most indigenous peoples.

Tepilit Ole Saitoti's commentary and insight into his people really make the photographs come to life (the cover photograph is of the author's brother). This is not so much a book as it is an experience, aided by its "over-sized" coffee table format book that gives you the feeling of "stepping" into the beautiful Kenyan landscape. Reading this beautiful book is the next best thing to being able to visit this beautiful land and see these fascinating people in person (which is something I hope to do at some point in my life). What a beautiful land the Masai live in!

Anyone interested in this book would probably find OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT interesting as well. OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT is written by Malidoma Some of the Dagara tribe from Burkina Faso, in West Africa. It is the story of Malidoma's escape from a missionary school (he had been kidnapped), journey back to his village as a teenager, and initiation into the Dagara tribe.

This is a (not surprisingly) beautiful and very accurate portrayal of Maasai life. It was written by Teplit Ole Saitoti, himself a Maasai straddling a modern lifestyle, with that of an elder in his home village. Carol Beckwith is one of the most sensitive and talented "human anthropology" photographers the world has ever known. She gets photos no one else can, by living the villagers' lifestyles. The result of the collaboration is the view of Maasai life from within.

Buy anything you see her name on. You will not be disappointed.

Extremely well written and the pictures are just incredible! I went to Kenya last year and met several Maasai during my safari; this book captures every facet of their intriguing life. If you don't think you will ever make it to Africa and are interested in the ways of life of the Massai, then this is the book for you.

During a time in my life, when I loved all things to do with Socialism, this book was almost my bible. Mr. Clarke preached Afro-Centric Socialism, to an extent that gave me new faith in myself. His views at time were extreme, but his insight into numerous topics gave me a strong respect for him.

The book is essentially a series of essays, detailing the problems in Africa, and to the other key areas of the Black Diaspora. For anyone interested in Black Nationalism or Pan-African movements, this book is essentially a bible for you.

His works are profound. although, he has many critics who would like to ... his legacy. When i first read this book it really opened me up to the problems facing black men/women right here in the belly of the beast "America". I would recommend this book to anyone looking to face the problems that lingers still in the black communities all over the world!!!

DR. JOHN HENRIK CLARKE WAS DEFINATELY A ELDER AND A WARRIOR IN PAN-AFRICANISM, AFRICAN-CENTRICITY, AND AFRICAN WORLD NATIONALISM. HE WAS A PROPHET AND A MASTER TEACHER. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIBERATION AND MOTIVATION FOR AFRICAN PEOPLE WILL DEFINATELY BE REMEMBERED. THIS BOOK IS A EXCELLENT BOOK THAT GIVES ALOT OF INFORMATION ON THE LIVES OF KWAME NKRUMAH, MALCOLM X, PATRICE LUMUMBA, MARCUS GARVEY AND WEB DU'BOIS. HE HAS CHAPTER ON THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN PEOPLE AND REVOLUTION AND ACT OF LIBERATION BY AFRICAN PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.THIS BOOK IS DEFINATELY RECOMMENDED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND RE-AWAKENING OF THE AFRICAN MIND. MY THE GREAT GRIOT REST IN PEACE, HIS WORK AND LEGACY WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBER AND UNHELD BY FUTURE GENERATIONS

Wow! That is all you can say after reading Fireforce. C.J. Cocks has written one of the finest accounts of war ever put on paper. Fireforce tells everything the hours of boredom waiting for a call out, the adrenaline rush when the call out comes, and the horrors of combat. Even if you have no interest in the Rhodesian scene this is a must read. Cocks captures the terrible strain that combat causes on young men making them age way past their years. The pictures in the book show the evidence as the men show signs of combat fatigue and Cocks himself looks as he has aged 10 years in the four years covered by this book. The firefights are very descriptive and at times the reader feels the AK rounds whizzing by their ears. This is not just a story of combat but also a story of young men fighting for a country's independence that no one gave a damn for. Cocks describes the final years of Rhodesia's struggle for independence in one of the countries elite units. This is the modern version of All Quiet on the Western Front. I recommend this book to anyone interested in what war is really all about.

Great book! Chris Cocks really brings into clear focus the horror of war. This book is not about the "big picture." If you want an overall history of the Rhodesian war or the politics involved etc look elsewhere. If you want an excellent read based on one man's experiences then this is it. I particulary found his description of the kit used by the soldiers interesting, who carried what, why, what worked, what didn't. As a bonus the photos are superb! Very clear, crisp and many in color. Strongly recommend this book!

You cant put down this book once you start reading it. I cant wait to read his follow up book "Survival Course".

Mr. Karade seems to have found himself suddenly in the position of being a writer about Yoruba tradition, only a few years after being ordained as clergy in that Afro-Nigerian religion. One of the ways to become a really good writer is to have read, and thought a lot, and then read a whole lot more. Some of us (myself included), need(ed) a long apprenticeship to the craft of words before achieving reasonably good results.

Mr. Karade needs no help when writing chapter 2 (of three), where he is concentrating solely on the Ifa religion. He displays more knowledge, intelligence and poetic power than 999 out of 1000 writers on this and similar subjects. His brief but succinct characterizations of seven of the orisas ('gods/goddesses') are astoundingly rich - so incisive and deep! Read them at the right time, when you're relaxed and in the right mood - not only will they begin to light up your world, but will show how these principles of divine intelligence interlace beautifully and powerfully to render our world/cosmos both its form and function. Each one of these terse formulations shows one of the orisas as a layer of the whole - and how they all interpenetrate so beautifully.

Karade also does an amazing job articulating Ifa's principles of right, ethical living, etc. There are so many, very expressive kernels of truth and knowledge running through this entire chapter, it totally wows me. And he attempts at certain junctures to help out his parishioners by offering interpretations of some of the more obscure phrasings of Yoruba myth and text, and does a good job. Interpretation is always a dicey game - he doesn't go too far - just opens the door a little so you can get a sneak peek, then decide to explore for yourself, now or later.

Elsewhere in the book (chapters 1 & 3) there are literally dozens of times it seems Mr. Karade is riding a wave of numinous excitement when he resorts to a sound bite to get his point across, or to amplify his argument; but the sound bite he's chosen often doesn't compute. We can cut him slack because, after all, his thesis is moving excitedly along, and making quite a bit of sense; but there are too plentiful moments that some might consider 'brain farts'. Maybe these were direct, intentionally unedited transcriptions from speeches or sermons, which somewhat lets him off the hook.

I mean we all write this way to an extent, but most of us edit it several times before we let it fly off to public view. That way those bits that don't quite fit the context, or don't quite match the way people usually talk and listen, can get weeded out. Mr. Karade either didn't edit, or he's too proud to improve on his original draft (which I doubt, but . . .), or otherwise he doesn't care to. Possibly, he just doesn't yet know any better. But we all have to live and learn. (In one of Zulu shaman Credo Mutwa's most recent writings he strenuously chastises the writing style of his much earlier work 'Indaba, My Children', though I personally haven't found much of anything to fault there.)

In spite of the frequent stylistic gaffs, Mr. Karade effectively assumes a mantle of eloquence with respect to his attempts to outline and explain the deleterious effect the Muslim and European/Christian colonizers have had upon the native religions of Africa, and upon the practitioners of those high-minded and deeply rooted modalities.

But at times, I think he's just too brief, and uses high gloss vocabulary to make the reader ignore how spare his explanations are . . . when we really want more . . . more . . . more. Maybe being a minister makes him want to flesh out the full story only to the initiates/members of his church - and maybe that's OK, but . . .

Mr. Karade's third chapter (on the origins of the slave trade in Africa) is an amazing read, even when he makes claims that I hadn't heard before. There's plenty of fire, and it's quite astounding how effectively he channels it (good energy - no hints of hatred), despite the occasional tangents, false starts, etc.

But it would help immensely here (and, really through much of chapter 1 and parts of chapter 2) to have detailed footnotes so one could go and check out the references, not because one doesn't believe him, but because you want to read more . . . more . . . more! There is not a footnote in the entire book, despite its containing a 3-page bibliography.

Imoye, A Definition of the Ifa Tradition is another excellent book in the continuing writings by Baba Ifa Karade. This book lends clarity to the religious practice by stating the sources from these practices originate. This book is steep in the sacred text, the Odu-Ifa and also gives people a new understanding of how the universe and man came into being. This book is a must for devotees of the faith and an excellent read for those who want more information on the Ifa religion.Ajuba, Oloye.

Most of us wait around for peace and enlightment to come to us, thinking it is something we attain from the outside self. In Imoye, Baba Ifa Karade shows and direct us to that deep awareness of our true self which lies within.The reader is able taste the very essence of Ifa, the proverbial wisdom, and the way to inner being, peace and serenity. Colonialism has so deeply disrupted the African mind, that a majority of us are unaware of our true selves and our abilities. Many of us are lost in the "comfort" of commercialsm and materialism. The light that is so needed in this climate is shown by the powerful and poignant words of Baba Ifa Karade. He makes us aware that survival,traditional pride and innate wisdom can only be taped if we go back to our tradition.The blessings of the Orisa and the ase of the ancestors are deep within you, Baba. Aboru, Aboye, Abosise! May Orunmila be with you- always! Your books have touched my longing Yoruba heart from England to the USA, ASE-O. Modupe, Baba!

"Into Africa" is a wonderful, almost breathless, whirlwind tour of the African continent. The travels described in the book may have begun as a search for what remains of the ancient empires that once existed, but became as much a discovery of what Africa is today, and what it will become.

Authors Marq De Villiers and Sheila Hirtle divide the book (and the continent) into nine sections, each with its own distinct character and history. Part one looks at southeast Africa, highlights of which include a visit to the impressive stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe, ruins which produce a sound when one's ear is pressed against them, the source unknown. We are introduced to the Makuni or the "Living Stones" of Zambia, named not after the famous explorer and missionary but rather for the fact that a chief begins his duties by swallowing a small stone, which lodges in his gut and becomes an embodiment of his people. This region is also home to the colorful Maasai warriors, often noted by tourists in colorful red garb (so that people will want to photograph them), nomadic pastoralists that have been pushed out of the increasingly artificial wildlife sanctuaries of Ngorongoro and the Serengeti despite having lived there for many hundreds of years.

Part two looks at the east coast of Africa, the lands of the Swahili speakers. Fabled east Africa, long a tropical coast skirted by (increasingly threatened) coral reefs and (disappearing) dhows, one can still find along it Lamu, near the Somali border, still an island of coral brick buildings and mosques dating back to the 14 century. Even more famous is exotic Zanzibar, fabled island known to the ancients and part of Tanzania in name only, once a famous source of spices.

The third section looks at southern Africa, a land largely shaped by the Zulus and the migrations they caused in the 1800s thanks to the tyrant Shaka Zulu. We read about mountainous Lesotho, well known for its conical hats, vigorous ponies, and blankets (called Victorians), a distinct national character that is only 150 years old, invented by arguably Africa's wiliest diplomat, Moshoeshoe the Great; and Swaziland, one of the last of the traditional African monarchies, famous for the Umhlanga or Reed Dance, where barely clad young maidens symbolically offer themselves to the king as brides. The enigmatic San or Bushmen of the Kalahari also receive attention.

Part four looks at the ancient rain forest lands of the Kongo, long a source of slaves for the world and even well into the 20th century under the yoke of forced labor by France (in the Congo) and Belgium (in Zaire). It is a troubled region, but one of great contrasts; separated by the Stanley Pool of the mighty Congo River are two very different capital cities; Brazzaville of Congo the authors describe a sleepy and pleasant town, in vivid contrast to Kinshasa, capital of Zaire, a much larger, angrier, and dangerous city. Some of the most interesting passages in the book are in this section, particularly of his travels up the Congo River, in war torn Angola, and among the pygmies of Cameroon.

The fifth section looks at the Gulf of Guinea, long fabled as the Gold Coast and dominated by the fierce Ashanti, bold enough to challenge the British Empire and almost win. Of particular interest are violent and overpopulated Nigeria; the country of Benin (growing more into a model of how Africa could be), whose ancient kingdom of Dahomey was once noted for "Amazon" warriors; Togo, where vodun (the African incarnation of Haitian voodoo) still reigns; Ghana, perhaps the most "Christian" of the west African nations and a robust democracy; and Liberia and Sierra Leone, whose prospects are gloomy indeed.

Section six was quite interesting, examining the peoples and old empires of the Sahel, the grasslands bordering the southern Sahara, as well as the Sahara itself. Once dominated by a series of mighty empires, first Ghana for over 800 years, then Mali, the greatest perhaps of Sub-Saharan African empires, then nearly 400 years later the Songhai. Fabled Timbuktu is covered in this section, the desert city a center of Islamic learning from the 14th century on. The authors' coverage of Mali is especially interesting, notable for Mansa Musa, an African king so extravagantly wealthy he was well known in 14th century Europe after his pilgrimage to Mecca, and his predecessor, Abu Bakari II, the Voyager King, who actually sought to reach lands he believed to exist on the other side of the Atlantic, disappearing from history when he accompanied personally 2000 vessels for a perilous journey into the unknown. Also fascinating was coverage of the Tuareg or "Blue Men" of the Sahara, a fair-skinned desert nomad group where the men go veiled, not the women, and the Dogon tribe, cliff-dwellers in southern Mali that are neither Christian nor Muslim but have instead their own complex religion.

The later sections of the book are somewhat shorter, but no less interesting. Part seven looks at the Maghreb and the Barbary Coast of North Africa, an area once controlled by the now extinct Carthage, the land of the Berbers, the Bedouin, and the Moors, once dominated by the Almoravid and the Almohad civilizations, in part infused from the Andalucian culture of Islamic Spain. Part eight devotes some time to Egypt, which the authors maintain it is definitively a part of African civilization, and Ethiopia, a fascinating land of rock-hewn churches and according to some the home of the Ark of the Covenant, and once dominated by the powerful Axumite Empire. The book closes with the Great Rift, believed by paleontologists to be the true cradle of mankind, home to the enigmatic Chwezi or BaChwezi empire, the fabled Mountains of the Moon, and the horror that was Idi Amin in Uganda and is the conflict between the Tutsi and the Hutu in Rwanda and Burundi.

A fantastic book!

I really enjoyed this book because it was well written history of the African people. The man who wrote this book is an exceptional writter for National Geographic. He seems to have a very good perpective upon the history of the African people. The other great thing is he provides a source for the Pharoah Khufu being an African person. He shows the deepest respect to African people and their culture. He is one of the only white writters on Africa that seem to do this. We have other people like J PHilipe Rushton,John R Baker,and the people behind the bell cruve seem to be on a cultural campain to posion the masses.
I wish however the writter would have went more indepth into African spirtuality. He does talk about the Mountains of the Moons being the source of the acient Egyptains.

The major highlight of this book is that it mentions every country on the continent; many books which view Africa as a whole tend to stick with maybe a dozen of the 45 countries that make up Africa, but the authors have touched, albeit briefly, along all modern African states, and attempt to bring them together as a whole, and make cohesive conclusions about the continent. The continent - a real study of the continent in all of its incarnations. As an overview of the continent, as a pair of authors taking the long view, and reaching unique and enlightening conclusions, there is no better book.

I am very much torn with this book. It is a wonderful read and the author has an intense, passionate story to tell which she does with an excellent style of prose.

The sadness and evil that humans impose upon other humans, here exhibited in the South African culture, is truly something we each can oppose and condemn. The story told here of Joshua journeying to SA to become a missionary who eventually realizes the mission society that sent him is much the enemy of justice.

However, to relate this seeking of justice so strongly with the God the Bible does not present the Biblical picture completely true. Where is there any evidence of Jesus protesting the government's inhumane treatment? And there certainly was political oppression of the Israelites. Jesus even has opportunities to do so but resists, for His kingdom is not about this world's kingdoms and politics, nor His the oppression which He came to set all humanity free from to be correlated exactly with each and every political, social oppressed group. This sort of misinformed theology is known as "liberation theology" and is not Biblical. Does not the Lord say that His peace is not anything that this world can give, and that His kingdom is not of this world? It is difficult to understand but careful Biblical reading and interpretation will not allow any of us to read into it our own political/social needs. His kingdom of grace is about the oppression of original sin and its forgiveness in Him crucified for it.

Let this not put any total damper on this excellent read. One cannot help but read this work and be moved by the inhumanity done to the people Joshua falls in love with. The involvement of Gospel preachers of Jesus Christ and the governments of this world must not be confused. For an excellent review of the major Christian responses to this, see Robert Webber's excellent work, "The Church in the World," and Gene Veith's book on the Kingdom of God.

Shelly LeAnne's debut novel,Joshua's Bible, is overwhemingly impressive. It is a well written and vividly descriptive story of social and religious adversities that
existed in South Africa during the 1930's.
The Rev. Josohua Clay, a graduate of Wilberforce Univ., the first African American Missionary to be sent to So. Africa was full of enthusiasm and anticipation when he was selected.
This dynamic and eloquent preacher looked forward to spreading the gospel of Christianity to the South Africans, but soon found out upon his arrival that he would have to preach sermons from the prospective of the denomination that had sent him which was contrary to his Christian beliefs.
LeAnne gives a moving story of the social climate and culture at that time. She vividly describes the secenery, characters, and conflicts, also the importance of one's convictions.
Shelly LeAnne has proven from her first book that it won't be the last. It is very well written.
AMUST READ FOR ALL!!

I initially dismissed this novel because I knew that it would have its painful moments. But when I started to read it, I really fell in love with the book. You have this African American in the 1930s, who against the better judgment of many, goes to South Africa. He tries to do what the mission board tells him by preaching in English only, advocate the reading of the English Bible as opposed to the marula Bible which is written in the Xhosa language,and discourage from taking a more professional ciricullum, but when he sees that the numbers dwindle during his services,the student's reaction to him initially, and his inaction proves to be an act of defiance towards his students and parishoners that he changes his tune, learns the language and preaches in it, help get a set of older ladies out of jail,encourage the students,participate in marches and protest against the pass laws and relocations, and even falls in love and marry a lovely African woman. One more thing I enjoyed about this is the way they described the landscape of South Africa. It was beautiful. Made you think that you were there as well. This book was great and highly recommended.

I have not yet travelled to Kenya, but I have read this book. The aspect of the book that I enjoyed the most was Ms. Vachon's "no big deal" approach to dealing with a very different environment and culture. She really put me at ease, particularly in regard to family travel.

The book was also very well organized into logical sections, making it easy to find needed information.

I had always dreamed of going to Africa, but my husband was terrified at the prospect. We bought this Kenya guide in hopes of getting some accurate information. We found it very organized and pleasant to read. Ms. Vachon's book relieved many of his fears and we used the book intensely in planing our trip. Every tip, review and suggestion she wrote turned out to be true. We really credit this book in helping us experience the trip of a lifetime.

Pretty comprehensive. Covers all the do's and dont's and lets you design the type of experience you want. Helpful that the author actually grew up there....