There are a lot of good books that have recently come out of Africa, and this is diffenently one of them. Peter Lawrence writes a coming of age story in Africa that reminds one of the stories of Mark Twain. However, I liked this book better, because it is closer to the age I grew up in - which makes it easier to relate to the charaters.

If you like Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, or Mukiwa then you will also like this book. I would also recommend Fireforce and Survial Course by Chris Cocks.

Lawder writes beautifully of his life as an older Peace Corps volunteer in Africa. Rather than present himself as the savior of these impoverished people, he shows how he is, in a sense, saved. Adopted by a Malian family, he makes a life for himself with them, becoming a de facto grandfather. He portrays the Malians as an intelligent, warm, hard-working people living under difficult circumstances, and it's interesting to "meet" them through this absorbing book.

Fixions and Other Stories is a fascinating, fun book that is as much fun for grownups as children. When read aloud, it is a joyful experience of the language, in a rural African setting. Sort of an African "Aesops Fables".

As a student of Sub-Saharan Africa I found this history of British Empire propaganda efforts through cinema showings in Rhodesia fascinating reading. This is the stuff of great drama -- the British investment in moving picture development and censorship efforts directed at forging a "tool of Empire" in order to pacify Africans and assimilate them into the new colonial order. Most of othe propaganda tools later employed by the Nazis in Germany and the Soviets in Russia were originally in play in the prolonged and heavily subsidized business of developing a cinema oriented to promoting the white rule administrations. The book is a fast paced, engrossing read -- if there is one criticism to be levied it seems that perhaps in the interest of brevity the author passed over quickly some of the engrossing tales of how certain motion pictures were required to be bowdlerized in order to negotiate them into a colonial atmosphere. For example, a full chapter might have been devoted to the reaction of the Rhodesian natives to cowboy movies, a campaign that stretched over decades, changing in scope and intent to accommodate the growing sophistication of the native audiences. Has anyone made an attempt to produce a motion picture not centered in the Hollywood concept of African colonialism? Perhaps the author has this in mind for a future project -- I would look forward to watching a drama concerned with Rhodesian cinema development in a style of "Out of Africa" presentation, demonstrating the power of film to shape credulous audiences, and how that same influence backfired in fomenting political unrest and revolution.

My great aunt actually wrote this book.
This book is a memior of her journey to Benghazi.
I have read most of it, it is a very personal and heartfelt story of her life. Enjoy!

I wish the picture accompanying the synopsis of this guide book were clearer. The strong geometrics in the photo on the cover give one a strong flavor of what to expect in this picturesque country. Get this book and read it thoroughly and you'll suprise yourself with a strong desire to visit south Africa.

Njabulo Ndebele's "Fools and Other Stories" is masterfully written. An enchanting blend of traditional South African storytelling and riveting modern prose, Ndebele poetically tells of the post-apartheid struggle that plagues his nation. A must read for any fan of Coetzee or Gordimer.

I have purchased serveral books on Morocco and marrakech and thisone is far the best one. It is detailed and gives good insight into the culture and good suggestions on etiquette.

they also have a wonderful riad section that no other book has. i love the book and will return the others i purchased

AUTHOR DARYL RUSSELL GRIGSBY HAS WRITTEN AN EXCELLENT BOOK ABOUT BLACK REVOLUTIONARIES. HE COVERS MANY IMPORTANT BLACK HISTORICAL FIGURES THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE HARDLY NEVER HEARD OF; GENIUSES SUCH AS AMILCAR CARBAL, FRANZ FANON, KWAME NKRUMAH, PATRICE LUMUMBA, WALTER RODNEY, NGOGI wa THIONG'O, PAUL ROBESON, CLAUDIA JONES, KWAME TOURE, AND AMIRI BARAKA; JUST TO NAME A FEW. THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTORY FOR THOSE STUDYING ABOUT AFRICA'S STRUGGLES AGAINST EUROPEAN COLONIALISM AND IMPERIALISM AND ALSO ABOUT REVOLUTIONARY THEORY. THEY NEED TO PUT THIS BOOK BACK IN PRINT, BECAUSE THIS KIND OF KNOWLEDGE CAN'T BE FORGOTTEN.

A LOT OF FACTS IN THIS BOOK SURPRISED ME. FOR EXAMPLE, I DID'T KNOW W.E.B. Du BOIS AND LANGSTON HUGHES WERE SOCIALISTS/COMMUNISTS. I AND PROBABLY THE MAJORITY OF BLACKS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE AFRICAN BLOOD BROTHERHOOD, P.A.I.G.C, AND F.R.E.L.I.M.O.

IT IS A SAD REALITY THAT MOST BLACKS DON'T PICK UP A BOOK AND READ ABOUT THEMSELVES. THIS BOOK IS A GOOD WAY TO SHOW AFRICAN-AMERICANS THAT THEY ARE MORE THAN JUST NEGROES, BUT THAT THEY ARE A STRONG PEOPLE WITH A RICH HISTORY OF REVOLUTIONS, ART, AND THEORY.

There are many books that are rivals for the award of best beginning, but this is definitely my vote for the best ever ending of a novel. Obviously I can't tell you the end, because that would spoil it, but the end of this book has kept me thinking for years since I read it. The story itself is low key, an aging man who has spent his productive years abroad and finds no solace in returning home. He decides to head off into the teeth of a rebellion rather than vegetate in the country of his birth. The novel is well written, with the nautical detail that you would expect from Raban. It is a book written at the pace of the central character, a little slow reflecting his age and the age in which he grew up. Believe me, though, this is one you want to finish, The ending is just brilliant.