Sudan (Cultures of the World) [Library Binding]

Patricia Levy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cultures of the World

Examines the geography, history, government, economy, and culture of the war-torn country where the African and Arab worlds mingle.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9. Neither of these titles effectively meets the challenge of helping youngsters understand the peoples of these countries or the reasons for the political problems the nations face. The series' formulaic organization with many brief, frequently unconnected sections mitigates against adequate development of key concepts. For instance, the basic Somali social system of clans and lineages is barely referred to in the early chapters on history and government; when it is finally discussed halfway through the book, the author devotes fewer words to it than to food. "Clan," "lineage," and "clan-family" are nowhere defined. In both books, the stereotyping term "tribe" is carelessly used. In Somalia, it is sometimes used interchangeably with "clan." In Sudan, Levy meaninglessly speaks of "tribes and their cattle," "tribespeople," and "tribal medicine" when referring to the people of the South. Pressing the racial/cultural confusion that characterizes the book, the author says, "As one travels farther south...the indigenous population is black African rather than Arab." The people in the North also are African, and as the colorful illustrations testify, essentially all of them would be perceived as black almost anywhere. Again, a fundamental concept?what it means to be "Arab" in Sudan?is not accurately explained early in the book so that it can be developed through the chapters on history and government. Both books belabor memorizable details while missing or distorting central dynamics. Though less up-to-date, Sudan in Pictures (Lerner, 1990) and Deardre Godbeer's Somalia (Chelsea, 1988) are better choices.?Loretta Kreider Andrews, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Benchmark Books; 2 edition (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761402845
• ISBN-13: 978-0761402848
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,194,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful pleasure read and educational tool!, October 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sudan (Cultures of the World) (Library Binding)

I was very impressed with the volume of SUDAN from this series. The series as a whole is wonderful, and the SUDAN text is no exception. It's difficult to find good, recent resources about this country; this is a true find. I teach ESL and my adult students from Sudan were VERY impressed by this book. I'm actually ordering copies for a few of them for their homes!

5.0 out of 5 stars Strongly recommended, March 6, 2008

By 

N. Sinada "studentdentist" (MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sudan (Cultures of the World) (Library Binding)

I am slowly forming a collection of books on Sudan (children's, photography, tourism and literary) and by far this is my favorite. I thought the book was comprehensive and I particularly appreciate how it covers the vast and diverse regions of the entire country. I saw many tribes and many cultural practices being mentioned. Although the description of the book recommends it for 9th grade, I thought the reading level was much simpler (perhaps it would be more appropriate for a younger age group) and not thorough/detailed enough for an older age.
I am also a big fan of Michael Freeman's "Sudan, the land and the people". It's a wonderful family read. It covers most (if not ALL) of Sudan's HISTORY and shares an amazing artistic perspective of its people. However, Michael Freeman's book is short on photography of the Northern regions of Sudan and the Northern people.
All in all, I think "Sudan: Cultures of the World" is a wonderful additional to your library at home.