My Life in Search of Africa (English and English Edition) [Paperback]

John Henrik Clarke (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0883781786 | ISBN-13: 978-0883781784 | Publication Date: February 1, 1999

The author, one of the foremost scholars on Africa, fought to legitimize African history for more than 60 years. This book finally uncovers the tumultuous life of this great figure. Through a series of autobiographical essays, Clarke looks back on his lifelong struggle to restore African history to its proper place in the context of world history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Henrik Clarke is professor emeritus of African and Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Third World Press (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883781786
• ISBN-13: 978-0883781784
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,555,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An important book, but it lacks style, depth and cohesion., October 1, 1999

By 

George Reis (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Life in Search of Africa (English and English Edition) (Paperback)

After hearing a speech of Clarke's on the radio, I was looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, it let me down.

Clarke's writing lacks style - I frequently was wondering if I was reading a high school composition rather than a book by the great orator.

There is a complete lack of continuity and cohesion throughout the book. Topics change from paragraph to paragraph. One gets confused if he is writing about himself, his life, the people he has known or his unpublished books. Any given paragraph may include some or all of these in a rather haphazard manner.

In reading this, I especially hoped to sink my teeth into understanding more about Clarke, more about the Africana movement, more about the history of the African people. Instead, I got some anectdotal stories and superficial glimpses. There was no significant depth to the content of this book.

In spite of my disappointment with "My Life in Search of Africa," it is an important book to read. History has typically been approached from a European (white) perspective, and it is essential that we get beyond that approach, that we learn more of the rest of the world, and that we learn from and about the people enabling that knowledge.