From School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up--Students will welcome these broad introductions to major African ethnic groups. The books provide detailed accounts of a dozen or more groups of people inhabiting 34 countries in western, eastern, and southern regions of the continent. Short blocks of text cover geography, history, languages, art, music, religion, and culture. Each page is profusely illustrated with a mixture of line drawings; tinted photographs; and a variety of thematic maps showing geographical features, climate, distribution of peoples, flora and fauna, political affiliations, etc. Time lines are offered in boxed inserts. Another special feature is the series of articles appearing on tinted pages interspersed throughout that focus on various topical or cultural subjects, such as food and drink, the rise and fall of Apartheid, the effects of tourism, etc. A language appendix is also included. Clearly written and attractively formatted, all three titles provide useful information on a wide range of topics and issues. However, to include the Falasha or the Ethiopian Jews known as Beta Israel in Peoples of East Africa is misleading as they no longer live in their historical homeland. Overall, though, these books present well-rounded, basic introductions to their subjects and will ably complement the "Heritage Library of African Peoples" series (Rosen).
Gebregeorgis Yohannes, San Francisco Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
