Books About Africa

In 2001 I spent about two months in Africa. That time kicked off an obsession with Africa that had me reading both fiction and memoirs set in the African Continent long after my trip was over. Here are a few of my favorites.

Cry, the Beloved Country
As Paton's main character makes his way to the city to find lost community members, he uncovers some the harsh realities about life in 1940's South Africa (just prior to the implementation of the apartheid system. This beautifully written classic novel gives great insight into the rise of Africa's urban slums, the impact of segregation in South Africa, and the destruction of Africa's traditional culture through modernization. It's one of the few books that had me in tears by the end of the novel, and even if you've read it before, it's worth rereading before a trip to Africa.

Buy on Amazon: Cry, the Beloved Country

The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel
In this beautifully written novel by Barbara Kingsolver, Nathan Price, his wife, and his four daughters move to a remote part of the Belgian Congo to spread their fierce evangelical Baptist beliefs. Somehow, in the soil of the Congo, everything they bring along is ruined beyond repair. This book provides a wonderful insight into local customs and beliefs, and a reminder that in order to provide aid, you need to understand what help is wanted and needed first.

Buy on Amazon: The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel

West with the Night
West with the Night is one of my very favorite books of all time. The writing is almost poetic, and as a women, I can't help but be struck by the author's independence and adventurousness in an age when women were confined to rigid roles. Beryl Markham was an aviator, a racehorse trainer, and and adventurer in in the Kenya of the 1920s and '30s

Buy on Amazon: West with the Night

Out of Africa and Shadows on the Grass
Out of Africa has a place on any list of classic books, and this poetic memoir is a wonderful way to wrap your head around what it would have been like to be white in British East Africa. Blixen's love for the landscape and the life she built in Africa shines through in every sentence in this beautifully written book.

Buy on Amazon: Out of Africa and Shadows on the Grass

Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna Technically Facing the Lion is a children's book (suitable for grades 5-12) but it's a strong enough read that it's appropriate for adults too. A wonderful and rare insight into the traditional Maasai culture, and into what it would be like to journey from that childhood into the modern western world.

Buy on Amazon: Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna

Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide
This light and exciting set of stories from a safari guide who worked in some of Botswana's top safari camps is a great way to ready yourself for your own safari adventure.

Buy on Amazon: Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide

Michelle Duffy of the blog Wandermom is a huge history buff, and I greatly appreciated having the benefit of that knowledge on our trip to Zambia. She recommended this book, and I'll be adding it to my own wishlist so that I can get a better understanding of Africa's history.

The Scramble for Africa: White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876-1912
After seeing the poverty and lack of options for the average African, most people find themselves asking "how did it get this screwed up for this long." Unwinding the series of events that led us to where we are today takes some time (over 700 pages, in this book) - a great reminder that there are no simple answers when it comes to helping Africa build a stronger and more equitable economy.

Buy on Amazon: The Scramble for Africa: White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876-1912

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4 comments | Posted on May 19, 2012 | Save to del.icio.us

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