More Books on Africa

I am listing more books that might help better understand the forces that shape African politics, social interaction, and economics.

African Silences, by Peter Matthiessen (natural history, non-fiction)
The Africans, by David Lamb (sub-Saharan history, non-fiction)
Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton (fiction)
Don't Let Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood, by Alexandra Fuller (personal narratives, set in Zimbabwe, non-fiction)
The Graves Are Not Yet Full: Race, Tribe, and Power in the Heart of Africa, by Bill Berkeley (a reporter's view of despotism in Africa, non-fiction)
King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (a story of greed, terror and heroism in colonial Congo, non-fiction)
Long Walk to Freedom (autobiography of Nelson Mandela, non fiction)
No Future Without Forgiveness, by Desmond Tutu (process of reconciliation in South Africa, non-fiction)
Scramble for Africa, by Thomas Pakenham (colonialism in Africa, non-fiction)
Scribbling the Cat: Travels With an African Solder, by Alexandra Fuller (personal narratives, set in Zimbabwe and Zambia, non-fiction)
Tales from a Troubled Land, by Alan Paton (fiction)
Too Late the Phalarope, by Alan Paton (fiction)
The Zanzibar Chest, by Aidan Hartley (sub-Saharan history and colonialism, non fiction)

Books of Interest

Of the two books recommended in this post, one is necessary if going on safari. Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, by Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe is the bird book we used when on safari back in December 2004. Our Kibo Safari guides, Alex, Pascal, and James now have their own copies. The second book, The Tree Where Man Was Born, by the great naturalist writer Peter Matthiessen, is readable before, during, or after your safari. If read after, Matthiessen will bring your entire experience back to life once back to your home country. Enjoy your safari and if you are fortunate enough to have Alex, James, or Pascal as your guides, please say Ndugu Habari Zenu for me.

P.S. Some readers might be more familiar with Matthiessen's other excellent works: At Play in the Fields of the Lord, a thriller set in the South American jungle, and The Snow Leopard, a story of the quest for one of the world's most elusive big cats, the snow leopard in the Himalayas.

Tanzania Independence Day

On April 26, Tanzanians celebrated their 41st birthday marking the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form The United Republic of Tanzania. Political tensions still exist between the two states writes Mr. Rodrique Ngowi in his news story, "Tanzania marks national unity anniversary." Up coming elections in Zanzibar is the source of some of the anxiety. The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the opposing party, Civic United Front (CUF), are running neck and neck in the campaign. The CUF is pledging to redefine the union. Mr. Peter Kallaghe, presidential spokesperson, still sees the union as valid, and reiterated the concept that we heard when traveling in Tanzania, that "Tanzanians do not think of themselves as anything else other than Tanzanians." It is that kind of brotherhood/sisterhood attitude that is keeping Tanzania's 120 plus tribes together and inspired the title of this blog -- a hardy what's up to all brothers and sisters, yours and mine. Mungu ibariki Tanzania!