BLACK AND WHITE

by Martin Flavin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1949

A Pulitzer prize winner turns traveler and reporter- his attention focussed on the Dark Continent, his purported intent an objective record of Africa's native population from South Africa through Bechuanaland to the Congo. The chapter on the gold mines of the Durban Deep as it appeared in Harper's and in the Reader's Digest has stimulated more interest than the complete picture would seem to warrant. Under the guise of the unrestricted traveler the disparity of weight assigned to different sections of the book is of course permissible. However, since a sociological comparison is implied between the sections visited, the extremely critical treatment given the Union of South Africa, where his sojurn was briefest, and the approval given the Belgian administration of the Congo (which comprises some two thirds of the book) seems unjustified. In question, too, is the dual approach; is his intent a birdseye view of countries visited, a selective use of historical background material, description of native customs -- or is it a serious effort to assess the social issues? He never quite achieves what might have been a reasoned merger. His sincerity is unquestioned -- but he falls short of filling the role either of a travel guide or a social investigator. His style is easy, chatty, informal, but he lacks the ability to create a sense of participation, of adventure.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1949

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1949

Categories: NONFICTION