Lords of the Savanna: The Bambara, Fulani, Mossi, Nupe & Wolofo (The Kingdoms of Africa)

Gr 7 Up--The strengths of this book are characteristic of others in the series: Koslow's solid knowledge of West African history; a strong narrative style that simplifies complicated histories without undue distortion; attractive illustrations and layout; and an appropriate, if unannotated, list for further reading. Unfortunately, the shortcomings are also held in common: a single, appallingly inadequate map (here also inaccurate, with the Igbo located more than 600 miles too far west); a lack of source notes for quotations and contemporary illustrations; some poorly focused captions; and a weak introduction. Rather than describing the precolonial history of a single kingdom, this volume incorporates five lesser-known ethnic groups. The Igbo are particularly out of place. Rather than living on the savanna occupied by the others, they live(d) in a coastal forest environment to the southeast, but the text explains neither the environmental differences nor the logic of including the Igbo among the selections. Moreover, as Koslow emphasizes, they were the exact opposite of a kingdom--one of Africa's many stateless societies. While there may be advantages in gathering histories of less well known groups in one book, here the title confuses, belying the diversity described in the text. The books on the Mossi and Fulani in Rosen's "Heritage Library of African Peoples" include good historical information within their anthropological framework, but Nupe and the Bambara are not similarly treated in other YA materials. Beyond this, the informed verve of the narratives is what gives this book its special value.

Loretta Kreider Andrews, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD

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