THE HUMAN FACTOR IN CHANGING AFRICA

by Melville J. Herskovits ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1962

A leading authority on Africa and African-derived cultures, and Director of the Program of African Studies at Northwestern University, Dr. Herskovits already has a long list of distinguished books to his credit, but this is certainly his most ambitious project to date. With an approach comprising a brilliant synthesis of anthropology, archaeology, mythology, political history, and ecology, he first of all surveys the diffusions of culture throughout Sub-Saharan Africa from paleolithic days to the end of 1960, and then analyzes the great problems and issues confronting Africans today. He begins with the premise that it is ""pointless to speak of Africa as moving into a wider world. Indeed, she was never out of it"", and one of his many aims is to effectively puncture ""the myth epitomized by the phrase 'darkest Africa'"". If there is a key word regarding this book, it is perspective. So many readers have honestly tried to follow and to understand the recent changes in Africa, with immense confusion as their only reward. If any book can help, this is it.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1962

ISBN: 1166139840

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1962

Categories: NONFICTION