THE WHITE TRIBES OF AFRICA

The title may not have been intended to offend any party, but it certainly was chosen With an eye to making bookstore browsers do a double-take. The people under discussion here are the ""less than four million"" Europeans and Americans now. residing in ""black Africa."" The book is a result of a tour made by Mr. West, with photographer John Bulmer, of 14 countries south of the Sahara. on assignment from the (London) Sunday. Times. Colour. Magazine. He set out, he says, with prejudices which were if anything ""rather pro-white""; he returned ""slightly pro-black and in favor of Africa for the Africans."" As such statements would indicate, the tone throughout is mild--even provocatively so, given such an explosive topic. The few generalizations and prophecies which he permits himself to make are likewise and genial and soothing. It is my hunch, and not much more, that the position of the whites in independent Africa will grow better rather than worse in the years to come."" However, since the main purpose of the book is straightforward reportage rather than political or Sociological analysis in depth, the blandness of attitude is more of an advantage than otherwise, strictly as reporting, this work can scarcely be faulted. As far as he looks, Mr. West sees very clearly indeed.