while at times july loses his preachy "lessons of Africa as lessons of the world" lecture mode, mostly the book is dry preexisting generalizations about the continent. he fails to preempt the possibility that whoever may be reading his book has some basic knowledge of Africa and African History. You may find some of his insights helpful if you are the type person who refers to africa as the 'black continent.' Evem if this is required for a class, don't buy. your prof. couldn't concievably test you over the words of this quack.

This book, in my estimation, is one of the better books on the continent of Africa. A continent that has produced so much, yet it is still underated, being spoiled and plundered by outside intervention for many centuries. How far does one have to go back in order to find it`s beginnings, it`s origin, it`s roots? How long had Africa been a thriving, advanced civilization prior to the intervention of the Europeans? Who were the Olmec people, and how many centuries did the great kings of Mali rule their kingdoms, and should the Egyptians be called african, also. Why is modern day africa still reeling from the influence of colonialism and despotism.