GuideReviews Index

Book Review: Writing African History
Book Review of Writing African History edited by John Edward Philips

Rock Art at Bushmans Kloof in the Cederberg, South Africa
A review of Bushmans Kloof, a wilderness reserve in the Cederberg region of South Africa that has more than 130 rock art sites you can visit.

DVD: Shooting Dogs
A review of the Rwandan Genocide film 'Shooting Dogs'.

DVD: Desert Battles of World War II
If you are looking for a DVD about World War II in North Africa then this has got to be the best, all-round documentary out at the moment. Find out more...

A Dictionary of African Mythology: The Mythmaker as Storyteller
Book Review of 'A Dictionary of African Mythology' by Harold Scheub

African Myths of Origin
Read a review of the book “African Myths of Origin”, which is a collation of traditional African myths from across the continent.

The Cape Herders: A History of the Khoikhoi of Southern Africa
With a subtitle of [i]A History of the Khoikhoi of Southern Africa[/i] this light text book, aimed at secondary school learners, describes the history and present predicament of one of South Africa's truly indigenous people.

Egypt: Rediscovering a Lost World
It is probably every budding Egyptologist's dream to travel to Egypt and visit the sites of the pyramids, temples and tombs. For most of us it will remain a dream. The second best thing you can do is treat yourself to this BBC series about the discoveries which lay the foundations for today's knowledge about Africa's oldest recorded civilization.

'How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs' by Mark Collier and Bill Manley
Mark Collier and Bill Manley have created the ideal 'teach-yourself' book for Egyptian hieroglyphics. Build up your knowledge and confidence in this ancient language with this step-by-step guide. Read this review by About's African history Guide, Alistair Boddy-Evans.

Book Review: Ancient Egypt by Barry Kemp
Book Review of Ancient Egypt by Barry Kemp – A Comprehensive Study of Ancient Egyptian Culture and Society

My Eland's Heart: A Collection of Stories and Art
Marlene Sullivan Winburg and members of the !Xun and Khwe San Art and Culture Project present the work of seventeen contemporary San artists. Read this review by About's African History guide, Alistair Boddy-Evans.

Vanishing Cultures by Peter Magubane
Although at first sight 'Vanishing Cultures' looks to be a standard coffee-table book; Peter Magubane's outstanding pictorial record is a valuable insight into traditional Black South African cultures.

Book Review: Travels in West Africa
Brief review of Travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley -- a captivating account of "One Woman's Epic and Eccentric Journey in the 1890s.

Book Review: I Didn't Do It For You
Eritrea, part of the long departed Axumite Empire, is a country created by the Italians out of a collection of warlord's domains. Even in African terms the country is little known to the world, but its history is a fascinating one, and shows the best, and worst, of Africa. [i]I Didn't Do It For You[/i], Michela Wrong's second book, is a must-read, and should be, well thumbed, on any Africa-phile's bookshelf.

Mimi and Toutou go Forth by Giles Foden
"Mimi and Toutou go Forth" is a curious mix of a Tom Sharpe novel and the BBC TV series "Blackadder Goes Forth". It tells the story of the British naval campaign on Lake Tanganyika during World War I. If you are interested in a Boy’s Own description of daring-do by eccentric British naval folk, then this is the book for you.

Into Africa by Martin Dugard
Book Review – Into Africa by Martin Dugard, the dramatic retelling of the Stanley-Livingstone story

Tomorrow to be Brave by Susan Travers
Book Review -- Tomorrow to be Brave by Susan Travers, A story of love and heroism by the only woman to join the Foreign Legion

Dark Safari by John Bierman
Brief review of Dark Safari: The Life Behind the Legend of Henry Morton Stanley by John Bierman

Alamein -- War Without Hate by John Bierman and Colin Smith
Book Review -- Alamein by John Bierman and Colin Smith

The Art of Travel by Francis Galton
A short review of 'The Art of Travel' (1872) by Francis Galton

'The Mfecane Aftermath' by Carolyn Hamilton (Editor)
An excellent and scholarly text which opens up the whole concept of the 'Mfecane' – the Zulu wars and related migrations – to reinterpretation and analysis. Read this short review by About's African History guide.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
The first novel of Alexander McCall Smith's No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series is a charming peek into life in modern day Botswana and is destined to become an African classic.

The Roots of Black South Africa by David Hammond-Tooke
David Hammond-Tooke's book is eminently readable; and is written in fresh, jargon-less format which makes it a great reference work for learners of all ages. Read this review by your African History Guide, Alistair Boddy-Evans.

Reiner Knizia's Africa
A family board game for colonial exploration and exploitation in Africa.