Ten books to read to learn more about Africa
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about Africa but weren’t sure where to begin, I recommend 10 books from a variety of genres to help you get started.
Christian Perspectives
Africa Bible Commentary: More than 70 different African theologians have contributed to this reference book. It can be a great tool to use while doing personal Bible study. It will help you gain new insights about the Bible through African perspectives.
Beyond the Rivers of Ethiopia (by Mensa Otabil): This one is on my reading list, but I haven’t read it, yet. It has been highly recommended by some of our African colleagues. This book explores the Africans of the Bible and sheds light on God’s purposes for the peoples of Africa (and people of African heritage).
Biography
They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky (by Benjamin Ajak, Benson Deng, Alephonsian Deng, and Judy Berstein): This powerful story gives a very personal perspective of the Sudanese civil war through the eyes of three young men who experienced its atrocities first hand. It can help you to begin to understand why Sudan split into two countries this past July.
Fiction
Things Fall Apart (by Chinua Achebe): This story is set in Nigeria just before colonialism. It gives a fascinating look into life and traditions in a rural village through the eyes of protagonist, Okonkwo. Cultural clashes erupt when European foreigners arrive. This is the first of three books in a trilogy. The others are No Longer At Ease and Arrow of God.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (by Alexander McCall Smith): This is the first in a series of books set in Botswana about a woman who runs a small detective agency. This is great light reading. These books are a lot of fun. It offers a refreshingly positive glimpse of African life.
Modern History and Commentary
State of Africa: A History of 50 Years of Independence (by Martin Meredith): If you want an overview of what has happened since independence in every country on the continent, this will give it to you. It’s packed with information but written in a style that will draw you into the content. I learned a great deal from this book.
Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles (by Richard Dowden): This is another book which gives a sweeping overview of the continent, but it doesn’t cover as big of a time period as Meredith’s book.
The Challenge for Africa (by Wangari Maathai): Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, describes some of Africa’s current difficulties including her view of the reasons behind them and then provides her vision for a way forward. She does an excellent job at expounding on some of the environmental challenges and solutions.
Cultural Perspectives
Into Africa: Intercultural Insights (by Yale Richmond and Phyllis Gestrin): This was one of the first books I read before we moved to Africa. Some of the information seems a little dated, but for the most part, it was very helpful. It will provide information about nearly every aspect of life in different parts of Africa from familial customs, to business etiquette, to authority structures.
African Friends and Money Matters (by David Maranz): Money can be a source of cross-cultural conflict, and this book clearly defines some of the differences between how Westerners view financial matters and how many Africans do. Each topic gives some excellent background to the cultural values that are the foundation behind different financial practices.
What books about Africa that you would recommend?
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