Beyond Humanitarianism: What You Need to Know About Africa and Why It Matters [LARGE PRINT] (Paperback)

~ Princeton N Lyman (Editor), Patricia Dorff (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beyond Humanitarianism is one of the most important compilations of works on today s Africa--a continent whose great strides towards positively reinventing itself are largely unknown in the West. It is a timely work that captures the continent's ongoing struggles, but also its ever-increasing victories, and it lays out plausible solutions that could make a huge difference in Africa's efforts to join the Family of Nations as a fully functioning member. I hope it gets the widest possible readership, particularly in America, where all too often the continent is seen solely through the prism of the four ds--death, disease, disaster, and despair. A book like this is needed to help Americans understand why a healthy Africa matters and to foster the kind of international cooperation needed to help change negative perceptions, as well as the realities that feed them--for all our sakes." --Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Johannesburg Bureau Chief for CNN

"Africa is on the agenda for foreign policymakers dealing with trade, terrorism, new democracies, failing states, global health, and, not least, geopolitics. Yet deep knowledge about Africa outside the development and humanitarian communities is sparse. Beyond Humanitarianism is the perfect antidote--a remarkable and crisply organized collection of essays on the full range of challenges that confront Africa and the world. Highly recommended!" --Anne-Marie Slaughter, Dean, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University

"As this volume makes apparent, the United States has compelling security, economic, and political interests throughout Africa; the challenge now is pursuing these interests with sustained, strategic support that bolsters African-led initiatives to promote governance, stability, equality, and prosperity across the continent." --Russell D. Feingold, U.S. Senator --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Currently, 15 percent of U.S. oil imports come from Africa--as much as from the Middle East--and the continent is poised to double its output over the coming decade. It has become the focus of attention from countries like China, which now imports more oil from Angola than from Saudi Arabia. In addition, Africa is rising in importance in trade, international security, democracy promotion, and efforts to tackle worldwide concerns about global health and poverty.

The Council on Foreign Relations and Foreign Affairs present Beyond Humanitarianism, a compilation of recent work on Africa. This citizen's guide to the complex issues and conflicts on the continent clarifies what s at stake in Africa's future. It addresses underlying trends--such as the growth of democracy, the rising activity of China, and the political and economic prospects for the countries of Africa, as well as regional conflicts and terrorist threats there--and provides an absorbing look at Africa's emergence as a strategic player.

A Caravan Project Book

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 444 pages
• Publisher: Council on Foreign Relations Press; Large type edition edition (September 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876093764
• ISBN-13: 978-0876093764
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,426,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bold new perspective on aligning American and African interests , December 14, 2007

By	Valerie Riley Montgomery (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Beyond Humanitarianism: What You Need to Know About Africa and Why It Matters (Paperback)

After reading this informative compilation of essays from various "Africa" experts I came away more heartened than I expected. Despite the oppressive news reports with dire predictions of the decay, destruction and degeneration of African culture, politics and social landscape, this book tries to shift the outlook by showing possibilities where we have traditionally seen problems. While other countries are strategically positioning themselves for what may be a new order of the African continent, America seems to be content in its paternalistic charitable mindset. Hopefully, if the perspective contained in this book is adopted, America may realize that the alignment of its own interest and that of Africa may be mutually beneficial. Africa is not the afflicted continent.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, March 2, 2008

By	Marisa P. Melo (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Beyond Humanitarianism: What You Need to Know About Africa and Why It Matters (Paperback)

If you want to learn a bit about Africa, this is the text for you.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-read "Citizen's Guide" to Africa, October 10, 2007

By	Laura Oliver "Laura" (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Humanitarianism: What You Need to Know About Africa and Why It Matters (Paperback)

This is a fascinating compilation of pieces from an exceptional group of experts about a wide array of regions and issues facing the African continent. Anyone who is interested in learning about the complexities of African life beyond Darfur and the AIDS epidemic should read this book. It's laid out beautifully and in comprehensive sections, each with a variety of essays exploring topics from South Africa to Nigeria, from the youth bulge to terrorism. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a more in-depth look at Africa than can be found in the daily headlines.