First Footsteps in East Africa Review

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(More customer reviews)Though I was aware of Burton before reading this text, I had no idea how much I would enjoy his writing. His language is eloquent, with an almost stereotypically dry British wit, especially as he describes his companions. At times, Burton seems to lose himself in the aesthetic response to Africa's environment, allowing his writing to swell to almost purple prose in his descriptions.
I also enjoyed reading this text through the lens of Edward Said's notions of Orientalism. Burton certainly falls prey to the Eurocentrism typical of his era, and at times his descriptions of the rationale of his Arab / Somali companions is borderline offensive. However, what I found most interesting in this text is Burton's own critique of Europeans. In First Footsteps, one could argue that Said's Orientalism isn't driven by culture but class. Burton is just as disgusted by the English working class as he is by Somali nomads.
The Kindle version contains no illustrations; I would highly recommend referring to a map while reading First Footsteps. Also, the footnotes are not linked, but I didn't find that particularly bothersome.

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This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition.

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Stand the Storm: A History of the Atlantic Slave Trade Review

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(More customer reviews)Stand the storm takes the slave trade as whole Not blame on any one aspect but balancing the Historical facts.He deals with the slave trade as it was 200-400 years ago In a way that doesn't get into morals of today and lays blame if you want to call it that from the shores of africa to the shores of europe to North america in a way that that lets you understand the history of the slave trade its start its end and everything in between. It also doesn't get bogged down and is a easy read..

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"A multitude of black people of every description chained together, every one of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow," stripped naked, shaved, and crammed into the steaming holds of the vessels. Over a period of three centuries ten million slaves were transported from Africa to the Americas amidst appalling conditions that went unheeded until the social pressures of the nineteenth century put an end to the trade. Thousands died even before they could be auctioned, but the supply was so plentiful it made little economic difference. In this graphic portrait of the Atlantic slave trade, Edward Reynolds uses primary and contemporary sources to present a realistic and balanced picture of the trade and its consequences. Beginning with the African background, he traces the impact of the trade on both Africa and the West, shows the resilience of African societies, and along the way demolishes a good many historical myths. Stand the Storm is clearly the best short history in print. "Remarkably comprehensive, clearly and simply written, and uncluttered with figures and tables. "-Choice. "The value of this succinct and readable volume lies in the immense amount of material the author has rendered manageable for the general reader."-New Statesman.

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A History of Africa Review

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(More customer reviews)With a sharp eye towards debunking a few centuries of self-serving white European mythic history about the origins of African societies, but without any particular ax to grind but those of intelligence and accuracy, J.D. Fage's work is scholarly and readable. It is a critical survey, with an excellent bibliography spanning a large number of subjects. His knowledge of west Africa is particularly impressive, and he clearly delineates the powers of both external cultural forces sweeping into Africa (Islam) as well as those that originated there.

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A History of Africa is a thorough narrative history of the continent from its beginnings to the twenty-first century. Long established at the forefront of African Studies, thisbook addresses the events of the 1990s and beyond.The issues discussed include:post-apartheid South Africathe prospects for democratization in Africa at the beginning of the new millenniumdevelopments in Muslim North Africa including the threat of Islamic fundamentalismeconomic and social developments including the devastating impact of Third World debt and the provision of debt reliefcultural, environmental and gender issues in Modern Africa.

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Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade (African Studies) Review

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(More customer reviews)Un execelente libro pasa conocer sobre la trata de esclavos de esa parte de Africa. Mayormente desde la perperstiva desde el mundo africanos.

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This authoritative study of 400 years of Senegambian history is unrivaled in its detailed grasp of published and unpublished materials. Taking as his subject the vast area covering the Senegal and Gambia river basins, Boubacar Barry explores the changing dynamics of regional trade, clashes between African and Muslim authorities, the colonial system and the slave trade. This newly-translated book is a vital tool in our understanding of West African history.

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Three Years with Sylvia Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an absolutely wonderful book by one of the 20th century's true Renaissance men.
Widely known as a highly successful mercenary soldier, Mike Hoare was instrumental et al in the rescue of countless missionaries during the ferocious fighting which engulfed the Congo during the sixties.
But here, in a fascinating display of versatility, Hoare lays aside his weapons to write a superbly heart-warming tale of adventure on the high seas.
Hoare recounts how, while working in Asia, he decides to buy a 100 Baltic Trader yacht and together with his family, embarks on a three year odyssey afloat.
What follows is a touching tale of family life at sea, as Mike Hoare and family voyage from port to port, meeting outlandish characters and experiencing adventures that make this a fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable read.
There were times that tears literally rolled down my cheeks as I cried with laughter at some of Hoare's misadventures, only to find myself rocked by true tragedy mere pages later.
This book is about life, and few authors today are as adept at capturing each nuance as Mike Hoare.

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