Those who plan to travel usually research destinations on line, in guide books or through travel agencies. Then, when they reach their destination, they are surprised by the attitude and life-style of its people. Reading this book will give those planning travel in any African country an understanding of why Africa and its people are the way they are.
Ryszard Kapuscinski is a Polish journalist. This book is a collection of his reports from Ghana (1950) and, more recently, Tanzania. Kapuscinski has covered a revolution in Zanzibar, a coup in Nigeria, civil war in Liberia, and genocide in Rwanda, wars in the Sudan and Ethiopia, child soldiers and refugees. He gives insights about the causes and effects of these brutal and tragic events. He investigates the reasons why colonising Europeans ignored the fact that Africa is a collection of thousands of mini kingdoms. He sheds light on the power struggles and politics, deprivations and survivals, and the constant inflow of foreign aid that never can satisfy the millions of refugees whose survival depends on it.
There are no visuals in this book, just word pictures, with beautiful descriptions, even if the subjects are not so lovely. There is no simple solution to Africa’s troubles. It is a country where the majority of people just want food in their bellies, land to farm, and complete annihilation of their enemies.
Reviewed by Gayle Davidson
Odell Learning Resources Centre
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