Publisher: Africa Research & Publications -£20

Reviews

Dr Marimba Ani`s Yurugu is a monumental achievement that will outlive European civilization. When in a few hundred years time scholars will be picking over the remains of Europe`s self-combustion, and puzzling over its pathological drive to exploit and dominate, Dr Ani`s anthropological masterpiece will still be feted as the work of a prophet without peer.

[wp_cart:Yurugu:price:20:end]

Publisher: 4th Estate Ltd - £10

Review

Jacob Ross is an extraordinarily gifted writer who combines human warmth and sympathy with musical sentences and a masterly sense of form. I have loved Ross’s short stories for years, and although I am still only half way through Pynter Bender l want to share my sense that everyone should read it – bringing back to warm, breathing life a Caribbean world that has slipped into the past. You writers out there – read Mr Ross to see what good writing is. I’m a writer, and I envy the man’s velvety richness of texture and the quiet confidence with which he makes his characters believable and touching. Ross is particularly good on women and on the relationships between them – an unusual and welcome gift for a male writer. I am loving this book which gathers power with every page.

[wp_cart:Pynter Bender:price:10:end]

Publisher: Njoya Foundation - £8

Reveiw

I thoroughly enjoyed this travel writing works of the late Christian Small, as he depicts tales of his travels and community work throughout West Africa. The book is compiled from entries in his diary and emails to friends sent from his base in Ghana, and from there he travelled to the Ivory Coast, and Mali. There were comical moments as well as it being educational on the histories of particular places.
His writing conjured up the scenes vividly; the tastes, (old chicken, porcupine meat,) the colours, (bright cloths of the peoples’ garments), and the smells. Christian crammed in so much, and makes brief mention of the voluntary work he undertook while on his travels.

What was deeply moving is knowing Christian’s young life was cruelly taken away in the London 7:7 bus bombing (by what were led to believe were terrorists) when we read that he had a close call after he missed his last Tro-tro bus to Tetrefu and later saw the same bus crashed and overturned in the road.
This is a must read for anyone about to venture on a trip to West Africa. In tribute to Christian, and support of the Njoya Foundation, have it as your next book club read. If Christian had been alive today, I’m sure he would have had a promising writing career ahead of him, as this was an excellent first book.

[wp_cart:Wake Up And Smell The Fufu:price:8:end]

Publisher: Libros International - £18

Reveiw
Dwain Chambers “Race against me” is a must read book. Already the press have disseminated the meaning of his words and the usual crew of knockers have assembled. In this case the knockers seem to be thicker on the ground and even after 6 years since his drugs conviction we still have him addressed as ‘Drugs Cheat Chambers’. I suggest that we are all kinda missing the point. Chambers gives a graphic explanation of his drugs regime which makes harrowing reading for anyone thinking that ‘artificial’ ingestions will make a better athlete. In fact Chambers is now proving that, contrary to his initial thoughts you run better, quicker and more efficiently clean.
Surely ‘The establishment’ would be better served by getting behind this man and supporting his efforts. He could be a shinning example to the up coming youth IF he was used correctly. He is being tested regularly and is coming clean every time. Leopards can change their spots. He held up his hands. Isn’t it time we held up ours and gave him the chance, meantime read the book for your self and make your own decisions. I for one think he needs and deserves a second chance and the book is a surprisingly good read.

[wp_cart:Race Against Me(Hardback):price:18:end]

Publisher: Tamare House - £10

Review

This book talks of sickle cell and how to enhance a sickler’s life holistically, as medical authorities have a tendancy to throw pills at a patient which in the long run can be damaging to the patients quality of life. A mark of this s success has been its use as case study material for the National Health Service bodies.

As a person who has Sickle cell trait in my family, it was very educational to have the accounts of real sicklers and how they managed their condition. The final part of the book speaks of the effects that myths have on the minds of people. Its more of a primer to psychology I felt but very interesting reading for a student or novice like me.

[wp_cart:Nubian Minds:price:10:end]

Publisher: Every Generation Media - £30

Review

This is an essential book for everyone. Of course especially for African and African descendant people. The most important characteristic of this book is that the sources are referenced and cross referenced leaving no room for misinterpretation and vague claims. Some of the illustration are beautiful and inspiring. And another important point, from an African perspective, is that most of the sources are European, which eliminates any doubt of bias from the author. A bit tough reading if you are not use to read factual stuff but MOST DEFINITELY worth reading and inspiring.

A must read for Africans, non Africans, historians, anthropologist, linguistics, sociologist and anyone who is interested in know and understand the world and age that we all living.
[wp_cart:When We Ruled By Robin Walker (Hardback):price:30:end]

Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd - £10

Review

Forgetting for a moment who wrote this book; this is an engaging, thoughtful, intelligent, perceptive read. This is a real meditation on race and specifically, on what it means to grow up and search for one’s racial identity in modern America. And yet, it is beautifully written. Rich in descriptive detail and almost novelistic vignettes, it is also pacey and hard to put down.

Returning to the author, it is truly hard to believe that this was written by a politician (although he wasn’t at the time of writing). It is such a good read and provides such a thoughtful and open account of Obama’s views and experiences, that it is truly breathtaking in this age of political posturing.

[wp_cart:Dreams From My Father:price:10:end]

Publisher: Black Classic Press, U.S - £20

Review

Yosef Ben Jochannan presents a powerful and coherent case to present the essential African origins of Egyptian civilisation, and the pronouced influence of Egypt and therefore “black” Africa on the later major european civilisations of Greece and later Rome.

This book refers to the work of greek scholars, such as Pythagoras, Herodotus who spent years travelling and studying in ainceint Egypt, before returning to Greece with their “discoveries” who had marvelled at the advancments the Egyptians had made in architecture, mathematics, medicince, astronomy, agriculture. These european scholars were in no doubt of theachievments of the people of the Nile nor the fact that these people were black.

Ben Jochannon argues forcefully and effectively the African ethnicty of the first Jews termed “Haribu” in Africa. The fact that Moses, himself a black African was born and educated in Egypt and later married an ethiopian. The presence of thousands of black jews in ethiopia and the sudan to this very day being testament to the African origins of judaism. Nor does Ben-Jochannon overlook the Egyptian influence on the development of early Christianity.

[wp_cart:Black Man Of The Nile And His Family:price:20:end]

Publisher: Institute of Karmic Guidance - £20

Reviews

I must say, in all of my schooling, I have not had a history lesson such as this. This book was excellent in showing the hidden history of Africans and our true accomplishments. I was amazed at how much has been taken from us and how many contributions have been made by our people. I highly recommend this book and think that it should be read across all races.

[wp_cart:Nile Valley Contributions To Civilisation:price:20:end]