Sally Falk Moore, Professor of Anthropology at Harvard University, puts together a comprehensive survey of anthropological studies of African peoples. Her intimate knowledge of anthropological literature enables her to create a sweeping overview of trends in anthropology, from its inception in the 1800s through its troubled involvement with European colonialism and into its recent process of self-examination and redefinition. In each of these stages, Moore asserts, studies of African people have played a prominent role.

The writing style is clear and streamlined, and Moore admirably avoids indulging in dense anthropological jargon. The book serves as a fine introduction both for non-anthropologists interested in Africa and for students of anthropology seeking a synopsis of past African research in their discipline.

Professor Moore's survey is thorough and compelling, and it benefits from a multitude of sources (her bibliography is nearly as long as her own text!). It would have benefitted even more, however, from the author's own perspectives and points of view. She refrains from adding much in the way of commentary, which is perhaps understandable given the volume of literature with which she deals. Plenty of water has flowed under this particular bridge, and it's all she can do to dip into it here and there and describe the trends and conflicts that have taken place. Still, I would have better enjoyed the read had she contributed more of herself to the book.

This is a great road map and literature review for graduate students and scholars working in Anthropology or African Studies. Moore covers roughly a century of anthropological work on Africa, tracing relationships between anthro. theory and changing conditions in the continent. Few other works cover so much material in such a concise and systematic fashion.