This book is an extraordinary look at the history of Africa, which Lady Lugard gathered from countless sources, and one would imagine a great deal of it came from the British Library and from the archives of The Times of London, for whom she had for many years been the Foreign Political Correspondent. She had always been known to be an intensive researcher into her subject matter, and one wonders at the months and probably years she put into this undertaking, which became the reference work for so many future books on Africa. Lady Lugard led an extraordinary life and travelled the world on behalf of her newspaper. A little known aspect of her prominent career was that when she first started writing for the Times of London, she wrote under the name of F. Shaw, thereby trying to disguise the fact that she was a woman. Later of course, she was so highly regarded - it really didn't matter and she became Flora Shaw, a personal friend of many of the world leaders (one of her more frequent visitors in later life was Winston Churchill) and was regarded as one of the greatest journalists of her time....specialising in politics and economics. She became world famous when she was subpoened to the Jameson Trial and cross examined on the role played by the Chamberlain Government in the planning of the raid into the Transvaal Republic. Later of course, it became common knowledge that she was used as the go-between the Britiish Government and Cecil Rhodes, and received and sent the cruical telegrams, which resulted in the ill-fated expedition. One of the reasons the press and public were so fascinated by her at the time, was because she was a very beautiful and accomplished woman, and many admirers and feminists, maintained that had she been a man she would have been a British Cabinet Minister. She was a staunch imperialist and this point of view on politics, obviously comes out in her writing without any apology or even the slightest expression of doubt. This in itself holds a certain fascination to the reader of today after the events of the 20th century. So it is important to remember that she wrote this nearly 100 years ago, finalising it in 1905/6, shortly after she married Frederick Lugard (Governor of Nigeria and Governor of Hong Kong and a big imperialistic player in Central Africa in his day). She had had to relinguish her journalist career on marriage as it wasn't the done thing, in those days for a married lady to pursue a career - especially a lady who moved in aristocratic circles. However, what makes Lady Lugard's book so fascinating to read, is once the reader has been quite shaken by her positive and practical assessment of the benefits of slavery, the merits and demerits of Black Labour and Yellow Labour, and her other imperialist beliefs......she goes on to capture with meticulous references, detail and descriptive power, the greatness that Africa once was, and so reveal an enthralling story of a continent. The South African president, Thabo MBeki talks about the African Rennaissance starting in South Africa today....and sceptics might wonder "what" rennaissance, under the mistaken belief that Africa came out of a Darkness. Lady Lugard makes it clear that this was not the case....Africa was great once...and her message is that Africa can be great again. No serious student of African history, politics and economics can afford not to read this book.

This book is one of the most important books I have ever read. I constantly refer to it whenever I have the opportunity to speak in front of a group. Incredibly insightful, it makes perfectly clear what direction people of African descent need to be headed in if we are committed to positive community development. YOU NEED THIS BOOK! If anyone sees any book that is as important as this please email me to let me know.

I think it was OK but not what I expected. I was getting
this book I THOUGHt was for childern. About "Meeting Footloose Fox" on VHS (Disney) is what the grandkids wanted, so I was disappointed first BUT Even though I never expected it I found it a complling read and a histrical masterpiece. So I say A+ and that I never gave before this time. I am Harold McInnes bye.

Orr Kelly's "Meeting the Fox" - Great work! Aside from "The Rommel Papers" (E. Rommel/B.H. Liddell) this book is the only book singly dedicated to battles of the North African theatre that I have read so my review may be limited from a comparative standpoint. Yet with a fairly decent number of books on WWII under my belt I can easily state that "Meeting the Fox" was one of the most enjoyable I've read. It's a great complement to "The Rommel Papers" in that it is dedicated to the North African theatre after entrance of the US Army with Operation Torch - the first grand scale allied amphibious landing. "The Rommel Papers" deals more inclusively with the entire North African campaign, and not surprisingly from the German perspective. "Meeting the Fox" is really dedicated to examining the US Army's "trial by fire and blood" (as it was) upon it's first (disastrous) meeting with the German/Italian armies. Kelly paints a nice picture of how the US Army that landed in North Africa changed from a green, poorly trained and often poorly lead force in nine short months to one more familiar to most Americans that fought and won in Northern Europe a year later. Kelly is certainly critical of problems that arose in the early battles, but he is also fair. While others have lain certain and almost singular blame for early failures on Maj. Gen. Fredendall, the highest-ranking field commander during the first bloody loses, Kelly is quick to point out that Fredendall was not the only "incompetent". Moreover, Kelly gives credit to commanders who have shared blame but probably didn't deserve it, such as Combat Command B commander Brig. Gen. Robinett and Ranger leader Maj. Darby. Fortunately for many of those involved in early defeats that were not removed from command, they learned from the experiences and went on to brilliant successes, such as Darby.

"Meeting the Fox" is a well written, easy to read book. There is ample hard information and facts for the serious student and enough literary flare and style for the more casual WWII reader. All in all this book belongs on my Classics shelf and I recommend it highly!

The average Westerner has far too little knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa and the author offers a superb and timely analysis of this area. His style of posing questions, both geographical and cultural/political, then answering them in detail gives the reader, both novice and expert, information rarely seen in one tome. Dr. Weatherby's description of the ancient history of the area and how it relates to the present is brought to life by his photography and the detailed maps.

It's hard to imagine a more readable and informative text on the subject.

This is the first book I have found that explains the politics, religions, and cultures of this region in language that I can understand. The writing is vivid and clear. The book uses a historical perspective, which really helps the current events make sense. I gained a new perspective on terrorism. The importance of western colonialism is well covered. Good maps are used effectively. Interesting pictures are included, most of which were taken by the author. Another noteworthy feature is a chapter containing capsules about each of the more than 20 countries covered. This is a handy reference when reading about world events. The book is a good primer for an ordinary person wanting to understand factors affecting world affairs.

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.

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.

In his book on Nile exploration, Moorehead speaks of Livingstone as possessing "baraka"--the quality of making everything seem better just by his presence. Livingstone's humanity and generosity of spirit illuminate this book. The details of his journey through Southern Africa are interesting and vivid, though not crammed with incident. Modern readers will be interested in Livingstone's observations on race relations in the different colonial settlements of the region. But the highlight of the book for me was the personality of Livingstone himself, his sympathy and insight, his matter-of-fact documentation of danger and hardship, his global perspective. A particularly rewarding read if Speke and Burton have left you with a bad taste in your mouth.

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-sheds a lot of light on Morocco and on the perspective of the British guy who wrote it at the end of the 19th century. In some ways Morocco at that time was perhaps a bit like Afghanistan today...? --Worth thinking about...

Cunninghame Graham is a superb observer and writer. In Mogreb-el-Acksa, published in 1898, Graham describes his attempt to cross the Atlas Mountains and reach the forbidden city of Tarudant. However, he was detained in the mountains for four months by the Kaid of Kintafi, and ultimately turned back to Marakesh. The places he visits and the people he meets come alive, and a current of humor bubbles throughout the narrative. His observations on western vs. eastern cultures, in many instances unfavorable to both but usually funny and profound, apparently made the book unpopular when it was published. I recommended the book to two friends, one a world traveller, the other a Moroccan. Both loved it.

This story will go down in history - have the courage to read this book and pass it on.

RJS

This is a classic text that chronicles the degrading and dehumanizing process of intimidation of by a dictatorial regime embedded in repressive antics and deviously blood-thirsty. This book comes from the lived experience of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigeria's foremost environmentalist and literary writer. He, it was who led his Ogoni people to challenge the environmental degradation of their environment by the Anglo-Dutch Shell corporation through gas flaring, oil spillage and soil degeneration, and the exploiting gimmicks of a militarized centralist and thievery regime. In this work Saro-Wiwa, chronicles his role,in the evolution of the history of the struggles for relevance and records the methods of organization and mobilization of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP)into a vibrant, virulently vocal and highly feared movement. This work derived from the author's contact with the evil of human authority, hence it is a direct a product of his experiences with the malevolent human-evil-forces that were unlynched against him and the struggle. The expereinces reminisced here is just one of his many in the series of unwarranted detentions in the hand of the evil regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha in unkempt cells of the Nigerian security apparatus in different cities of Nigeria. On another occassion- the detention from which he smuggled this book out to be printed- he would not come out alive. He would be "judicially murdered" by the junta whose guns were brought by the sweat of humble and victimized tax-payers like Ken- representative of repressed Nigerians- and from the money derived from oil that springs from underneath his Niger-Delta homeland-including his Ogoni group. Ken did not leave out the Nigerian Police and their inhumanity- dogs who devour the flesh of other dogs- in fact they act like "vulture." A loaded term in Ogoni parlance! This work goes to show the plight of minorities within such colonial contraptions as the Nigerian nation state, under the dominating rule of a northern hegemony and a limited military clique in collaboration with their favor and fund-questing (fat-bellied) civilian cronies. This goes to further prove the fact that colonialism subjugated many ethnic groups under a contraption that was never dialogued nor radically sanctioned.Is it any surprise that Somali, Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, Sierra Leone have gone on ruptured by the thunders of machine guns! In this vein the book brings to the fore the problem of such political hypocrisy as such as the overtly caricatured Federalism which is practiced by the Nigerian government. In a way Ken Saro-Wiwa, credenced the fact that all ethnic nationalities must radically be allowed to shape their destiny and control their resources. Further, this book reveals the filthy environmental practices of the multinationals who without regards to safety measures and ecological ethics endanger the lives of people in the orgy for profit-making. Profit-making predominates in the psyche of the multinations in deterrence for the sanctity of the human life! Double business and ethical standards-one for Africa another for the West- in fact Ken calls this "environmental racism." This book is a resplendent classic, and it is essentially valuable for all those who want to educate themselves on one of the most forceful and feared Social, ethnic and environmental movements that has arisen in post-colonial Africa today. In fact, the book goes to show the courageous fights of minorities and social movements towards advocating and ensuring changes. Ken Saro-Wiwa its author was crudely exterminated with eight others on a farce of a trial- a militarized set-up tribunal of the despised tyrannt of Sani Abacha in 1995. Saro-Wiwa is dead but remains a living-dead, an ancestor of a sort for the many social movements that revolves around emphasizing rural development and sound environmental norms and sanctity for the community where companies are located that are emerging in Nigeria today, and it would not be an overstatement to add Africa. His ideas and views radiates and takes on flesh in this little book. Buy one today, read and digest it and realize what a portent book it is, and know why the author was most few by a modern day dictator, who feared men and women of ideas than he feared the men and women who hold the guns! Happy reading! Bon voyage!

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.

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.

This book provides more information and insight on the daily life and culture of the people of Sierra Leone than anything else in print. Its descriptions of the terrain, climate, economy, and politics give such a life to the narrative that the reader is absorbed to the degree that it is hard to put the book down until the last page has been read. I was left wishing that the author had written more. It reads like a historical novel. It is both entertaining and educational. It is exciting and it is tragic, but most of all it is inspirational. It speaks of sacrifice and faith that result in an amazing story in which thousands of lives are changed for the better as they come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

God sent the O'keefes into the poorest nation in the world, torn with strife and political corruption. In spite of all the adversity, they established 53 churches. A moving, touching true story of how God used these unselfish missionaries for twenty-four years in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

Ra Un Nefer Amen (author of the Metu Neter Vol 1 & 2) recommened this book and now I can see why. A stunning discourse on the unity of african life. A must read.

This was a text book for a class I took at Antioch College in about 1972. I was studying African American music, poetry and dance from the avant garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. At that time he was at the college for one year. He assembled a jazz ensemble and taught a "black panther" of jazz philosopy. This book is a highly academic examination comparing and contrasting European and African culture.Chapters include the and the underpinnings of belief and experience that directly leads to the understandings and misunderstanding of black culture in within the white society. Recently, I took on the management of an African American singer songwriter, Gwen Avery, she was thrilled to read and understand the source of her work. During an interview for an African American magazine,"Arise". I mentioned the book and the memory caused me to order it and give it as a gift to the editors. Cecil Taylor is one of the worlds greatest minds and talents, and his gift at understanding the innovative power of the African culture lead me to a deeper understanding and appreciation of this most vibrant light of our century. The intensity of black culture, particulary in America, can be seen in the full light of the philosophy that drives the spearhead of our culture. Any one who was glued to the set during the PBS Jazz series, should read and study this text.