Customer Reviews

The African Republic of Liberia and the Belgian Congo;: Based on the observations made and material collected during the Harvard African Expedition, 1926-1927

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two-volume set that documents the Harvard medical expedition to Liberia and the Congo in 1926-1927. Richly illustrated with b&w photos and drawings mostly illustrating various tropical diseases and infections, as well as color plates of medical illustration. Volume one concentrates on the medical observations while volume two offers detailed study of the flora, fauna and geography of Liberia, which was originally settled and founded by ex-slaves from America.

The breadth and professionalism of the documentary is unsurpassed in these regions, both in the early 20th century and today. While science has of course evolved and improved over time, this book has set a standard that has yet to be improved upon. In today's age, we have specialist is technologies and the sciences. They can give very detailed info about a small range of subjects. But, no one has gathered a team with the breadth of scientific knowledge and gone and studied this region as a team and produced such a complete work.

The book is scientific in nature. For the average person, with a small library, this book may be a bit much. For someone looking to expand on there knowledge of the West and Central Africa in the area of medicine and biology, I highly recommend it. The pictures and descriptions are excellent, better than anything on the web.

I recommend the book especially for anyone practicing bush medicine, going into the deep jungle where there are no doctors.

See my other reviews for good books on Africa and the World...both old and new...