Dr Michael Willis's book is an excellent and very readable account of events that led to the present crisis in Algeria. It also provides valuable insights, applicable to different parts of the world, into what happens where an elite fails to address the democratically expressed aspirations of desperate people at the bottom of the socio-economic pile. Of particular interest is the work of fundamentalist Muslim activists attempting to alleviate social and economic pressures at the grass-roots level.

A beautiful simple childrens' book. Jafta and the Wedding was pleasant and easy to read. This book brings to life the imagination and joys of being a child. The simplistic use of a cream backdrop and hues of brown stepped out with a persona that complimented the text. No other colors were used which made this book to me rich and authentic in its written vein. If you are open to introducing culture to children this would be good for starters. Before reading Jafta and the Wedding, talk about how we celebrate weddings,how children play in the States and contrast after reading the story. I could visualize the scenes and I felt as if I was there! A wonderful childrens' book!

Lovers of the African Kora, the 21-string traditional African harp, will enjoy the gentle sounds of this CD. This is mostly string music (kora, nyanyer, electric kora) supplemented by the balafon and drums of the area.

The music originates in West Africa - in the countries of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Mali, and showcases the Griots (or Jalis) of West Africa. Because it is the place where many of America's slaves come from, West African culture has strongly impacted life in the USA.

For 800 years - since the beginning of the great Malian empire - Griots have preserved their region's history and lore, passing them down orally through arduous apprenticeships, providing cultural cohesion that endured both colonialisation and its aftermath.

The names of the musicians on the album read like a who's who of the musicians caste of West Africa: Kuyateh, Suso, Jobarteh, and others. Featured on the album is Foday Musa Suso, who is well known in the West. To this, add some of the best Western names in the business, like 20th Century minimalist composer Philip Glass, Jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and the production skills of Bill Laswell, and you end up with a very professional cross-over product, and certainly a very interesting mix.

Ellipsis Arts has a history of making beautiful music box sets. Like most of their products, Jali Kunda comes with a mid-format full-colour book of 96 pages, about the music, the people, the history, and the countries. Highly Recommended.

If you read The Life and times of jeremy Ruhl, you already know what action and adventure realy are about--- it aint monsters from another world or mummies coming to get you... this book as the real monsters that exist today.. and they are out there! It's like starting a trip and not knowing where you will end up, this is a great second book to Jeremy Ruhl and I am waiting IMPAIENTLY for book 3 to come out--- just truely awesome coolio for a book like this, makes Harry Potter look like a beginner and there is no magic involved!! MORE PLEASE MORE!!!

The book provides detailed and profound information on the development of the Joudo Shinshuu sect of Japanese buddhism, which is the biggest of Japan's buddhist sects today and also the one whose beliefs arguably bear the most resemblance to those of Christianity. The orthodox view of Joudo history held by the members of the sect itself is covered as well as the "historical" view through the eyes of the scholar. The important - that is to say unique - parts of the Joudo belief are covered in detail, especially the process of the establishment of Amida as a kind of saviour whose mercy paves those who rely upon him the way to rebirth in the Pure Land - in sharp contrast to other sects of buddhism, which focus upon satori (enlightenment) through one's own efforts - mainly meditation (jou), study (e) and the strict observance of the rules for buddhist monks (kai). The evolution of Joudo belief and organization from the time of its founders Hounen and Shinran through the middle ages is also looked at in detail.

Overall a convincing analysis of this interesting Japanese sect by a renowned scholar, aiming at an audience of scholars and people interested in facts and solid argumentation instead of mainstream esoteric ballyhoo.

I read it when I was in Angola as a volunteer for UNAVEM II to better understand the fight for 'Total Independence' by UNITA, Mr. Savimbi's organization. Very engrossing account of Savimbi's extra-ordinary life. Great book to read to understand the geo-politics of south-west africa.

The continent of Africa still stands in a state of unrest. Centuries of colonization, imperialism and slavery have left the continent hanging on to stability by a thread. Constantly shifting political regimes, tribal conflicts, starvation, drought and high mortality rates keep the area from advancing. In the first book by Tata Thaddeus Agwo, Journey from Africa to America, he addresses the traumatic experience of severed familial bonds and high teenage mortality rates in his homeland of Cameroon. Manga is a teenager growing up after a long separation from his parents since age three. Upon his return, several years later, he is not a "normal" adolescent. His father soon passes away leaving his mother with the difficult task of caring for six children on her own. However, the behavioral problems Manga exhibits drives his mother to the edge as she realizes she will never be able to raise him properly. Turning to the classroom for help, Manga is sent into a transformation during his teenage years that will render him scarred for the rest of his life. Agwo follows the successes and failures of Manga as he moves from tumultuous Cameroon of the late 1980s to Boston. The social and economic problems he faces in both countries can be "directly linked to the absence of a paternal bond at an early age," and it culminates with a chase down the highway involving 20 Massachusetts troopers. A "high energy thriller," Journey from Africa to America shows the difficulty faced for indigenous African teenagers to survive under extreme and unusual conditions in Africa and the United States. It's the first of a kind novel written from an African perspective.

Other books soon to be published by Tata Thaddeus Agwo are the following:

1. Paul Abanda, The Man behind the Mystery,
2. The Graveyard of African Democracy
3. The African Immigrant faces the USA Justice System.

All three books are "narrative nonfiction".

The interplay of text, photographs and art in both Anne Emsley's books "The Owl House" and "A Journey Through the Owl House" about the life and work of the artist Helen Martins are dynamic and unforgettable. Both books have the capacity to enrich people's lives intellectually and spiritually.

Dorothy Salem is a talented story teller whose penchant for dispelling myth remains the reader's constant companion. "The Journey" is a two part series of texts spanning 300 years of African American experience. While weaving in and out of a traditional American historical timeline, "The Journey" chronicles dynamic social movement in Black America. The reader is introduced to Harlem's glory days in the 1920's and feels a forboding sense of tension as the ground work is laid for the explosion of the civil rights movement. Salem's "Journey" makes a vital connection between the seeming chasm of white and black America. Finally, a journey toward holistic American history. Bravo.