A Continent for the Taking

This book, combined with "The Shadow of the Sun" by Ryszard Kapuscinski illuminates a part of the world that most Americans who think they follow current events well (like myself?) really don't know much about. I recommend reading the Kapuscinski book first as it will give you a better understanding of the events related in Mr. French's book. Both are excellent and worth reading to understand what happens in Africa.

It would have been a gigantic undertaking to write Howard W. French's kind of book about all of Africa. Africa is, after all, a large continent with the greatest diversity in species, ecosystems, peoples, languages and histories. French does not attempt such a challenge. His primary focus is the part of Africa that he knows best, Central Africa, and its complex history since independence. While he draws some general conclusions... Read Full Review

Reporting from the ground in several trouble-prone nations, Howard French explains how sub-Saharan Africa is still being subjected to the whims of the outside world. Former rounds of slavery and colonialism are simply continuing under a new form of domination based on facilitating far-off political games, and enriching multinational corporations through the shameless appropriation of natural resources. All the while, the people... Read Full Review

A well written work that delivers unusual insight into the peculiar political situation in Africa. Howard French brings to bear his deep understanding of the continent. This book is a must-read for anybody seriously interested in understanding the true socio-political dynamics of Africa. Unlike most books about Africa that are written by foreigners, it avoids the condescending know-it-all attitude that gets many Africans mad.More... Read Full Review

I became so immersed reading this book, I missed my subway stop to transfer uptown. The 7 train took me into Queens. This is a must read for anybody who wants to learn more about Africa. If we all appreciated and built on the real hope of Africa, there wouldn't be so much tragedy.