Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1303025 in Books
• Published on: 1999-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

Interesting history and travelogue
This interesting account of journeys in Africa is both history and travelogue, in that the author set out to explore his African heritage and find the personal meaning of Africa for himself. Wonders Of The African World succeeds as both in its highly readable narrative.

The chapter Nubia: Black Gods And Kings, deals with a journey up the Nile from northern Sudan to Egypt while discussing the history of ancient Egypt's southern neighbour. It includes an account of the Kingdom of Kush, whose kings were also pharaos of Egypt between 712 and 664 BC, and also looks at Kerma, Meroë and the Kingdom of Napata.

Chapter two, Ethiopia: Holy Land And The Lost Ark Of The Covenant, looks at the history of this Christian land, including the Kingdom of Aksum. Salt, Gold And Books is the third chapter and it explores the road to Timbuktu. On the way, it deals with interesting subjects like the Griot (praise singer), the Dogon people, the Empire of Mali and the contemporary country.

The next visit is to the East Coast (which includes Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Pemba), with its ancient historical connections to the other cultures around the Indian Ocean. The chapter Time Of Forgetfulness focuses on West Africa, the tragic history of the slave trade, the Akan and Asante peoples, and the Kingdom of Dahomey.

The last chapter, South Africa and Zimbabwe, investigates the legends of the lost city of Monomotapa by looking at the site of Mapungubwe, at the Great Zimbabwe ruins and at the early Shona states. There is a complete map of Africa, plus a map of the area in question at the start of each chapter, all in full colour. Impressive colour photographs and a wealth of black and white plus colour illustrations enhance the text. This gripping read ends with notes and an index.

Want to know about Africa? Read!
There's not much else, apart from what the other reviews have said, that I can say about this book. It is excellent. If you want to learn about African heritage and just how diverse it is dont learn from low-blow jokes on tv, learn from a respected and dilligent academic, while avoiding the mentality that usually leads Africa to being perceived as a 'cosmic blur', then read this book. I love it, and its fun to read over and over again.

This One Should Share Library Space with "Roots"
Not since Alex Haley's historical "novel" was released over twenty years ago has a book so enthralled me with its information about a forgotten people. Dr. Gates has fashioned an entertaining journey into the past of Africa, a past that should be made a part of every American because of past omissions. Every page, every chapter provides the reader with insight into the development, the abuse, and the richness of the respective peoples and lands of the heretofore mislabeled "Dark Continent." It is because of this "darkness" that the book brings to "light" some of the myths and misconceptions of that area of the world. A major accomplishment in the literary field is this work. I, for one, am making plans to visit the continent to experience the wonder and power of this most intriguing land!