Zambia (Cultures of the World) [Library Binding]

Timothy Holmes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Cultures of the World

Describes the geography, history, government, economy, people, lifestyle, religion, language, arts, leisure, festivals, and food of this high plateau country in the interior of Africa.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8AProfuse, colorful photographs characterize this series. Unfortunately, the authors communicate a limited, superficial understanding of these countries. There are minor factual errors and some use of outdated race/language terms. More importantly, factors that have profoundly influenced the present are not explained. The BerbersAthe original inhabitants and majority population through most of Tunisia's historyAare not even mentioned until the Muslim conquest, and their centuries of gold/salt trade across the desert are not discussed. Brown does not explain that in Islamic belief, government and courts are supposed to rule according to religious teachings in order to create a society of order, compassion, and social justice. How, then, are readers to understand the passion of "Islamic fundamentalists" against governments that deny this duty. Zambia overrepresents exotic ceremonies. Information on possibly biased sources of historical images is missing from the otherwise useful captions. Brief, formulaic chapters, including engaging ones on food, make certain comparisons of different countries easy. The sequencing and rigid separation of chapters, however, obscures interrelated dynamics. Also, names, wars, and abstractions crowd out concrete explanations of socioeconomic realities. The book doesn't discuss the roots of urbanization and poverty in the colonial period's hut taxes and mines; nor does it specify the disastrous economic effects of the long war in Rhodesia. Though Mary Virginia Fox doesn't do appreciably better on Islam, generally her Tunisia (1994) and Jason Laure's Zambia (1991, both Childrens) give better explanations of these countries.ALoretta Kreider Andrews, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Benchmark Books (NY); 2 edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761406948
• ISBN-13: 978-0761406945
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,083,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to Zambia, October 8, 2009

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J. Vasilius (Tucson, Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zambia (Cultures of the World) (Library Binding)

While written for a school-age reader, ZAMBIA provides an excellent introduction to this struggling nation. Instead of glossing over the huge problems in Zambia, the book explains the issues in a balanced manner, particularily the post-colonial problems. The kindness of the people, the striving for a better society, and the potential riches of the country are all emphasized. This book is an excellent resource for a visitor to Zambia, or student writing a report. It is a tad out-of-date.