From School Library Journal
Grade 9 UpAs part of a new series commemorating the first 25 years of Gilbert Grosvenors editorship of National Geographic (1899-1924), this title is basically a reprint of an article that appeared in the magazine in January 1914. In Here and There in Northern Africa, Frank Edward Johnson (whose name is nowhere on the title page) told of his travels and experiences in the area once known as the Maghreb, roughly the location of present-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. And while the two forewords fall over themselves praising the National Geographic Society and its fine periodical, the book claims to have no relationship whatsoever with the organization (disclaimer on verso). The article tells tales of Tripoli and Troglodytes, camels and cous-cous, and is full of unique black-and-white photographs. However they are often up to 50 pages away from the relevant text. As it isnt always easy to locate a copy of a 1914 magazine, this title could be a convenient form of a primary source for those needing additional perspectives on the historical cultures that made up the Arab world. However, as interesting as it may be as an account of places long ago and faraway, keep in mind that it is written in the style of almost a century ago and, all things considered, will find only a limited audience.Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
