This book won The Noma Award for Publishing in Africa in 2001. The jury describes it thus: 'The work is an outstanding and significant cultural document; and an important part of the movement of cultural reclamation from within Africa. It assumes direct intellectual responsibility by the Yoruba for their collective history and culture; and extends the scope of Ifa studies in a new and original way…the author displays deep familiarity with indigenous sources; living practitioners and scholarly literature. The book; the product of thirty year's work; will stand as a benchmark for years to come."
#259279 in Books Robin Brass Studio; Inc. 2011-04-15 2011-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.90 x .60 x 7.90l; 1.40 #File Name: 1896941648256 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Singular; superb; excellent; incredibly illustrated and very insightful; to say the very least!By Kalikiano KaleiOne of the most amazingly satisfying accounts (well illustrated) of U-Boot operations ever written and accompanied by an extensive collection of the author's personal photographic images taken aboard his boats. Can't say enough about this book by ex-U-boot engineer Werner Hirschmann. Included are some of the best available views of the special late-war (surface area) reduction of the Type IXC forward bows (intended to enhance speed of diving; since the Type IXC took rather longer to submerge than the other types). The efficacy of that 'pinched' bows modification remains dubious (that is; it appears to have helped very little in enabling the Type IXC boat submerge more rapidly (viewed in technical retrospect; but now that REVELL models have come out with a large scale plastic model of this type; Hirschmann's photographs of his own boat's modified bows remain one of the best available references. An excellent book and a superb testimony both to the German U-Boot crews and operations in the WW2 period and to Hirschmann's commendable modesty; integrity and technical competence as a U-Boot engineer (probably the single most important member of any U-Boot's crew; aside from the skipper). MORE than just another one of those 'You need to get this book!' memoirs by former U-boot personnel. Does NOT disappoint!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. both the tedious and the exciting aspects of life as a u-boat ...By SusanFascinating; honest account of a young man who wanted to be a naval officer. Lots of information about the training; what the men did on shore; both the tedious and the exciting aspects of life as a u-boat engineering officer which is a different perspective than the commander's. He also included a wonderful account of his time in Canada as a POW and his subsequent return to Ontario after the war to become a citizen. This book; with it's incredible photos (lots of the author in the various stages of his career and plenty of u-boats including a detailed tour of Type IXC/40 u-boats 190 and 889); puts the reader there - in Germany; in Italy; and in the boat. Mr. Hirschmann's sense of humor shines through and I found myself smiling often (in particular at the reality of life in a u-boat in the second appendix). This book is going on my keeper shelf.27 of 28 people found the following review helpful. Splendid Book; More Technical than MostBy John MatlockOne of the services with the highest casualty rate during World War II was the German U-Boat service. Of the 40;000 men who served in that branch; 28;000 were killed. Werner Hirschmann was one U-Boat officer that entered the German Navy in 1940 and served until 1945 when he and his boat surrendered to Canadian forces.This book covers several different subjects. The first few chapters deal with his joining the Navy and the training he received. Then it's to see on a destroyer; including excort duty for the Bismark when it left for the Atlantic raid. Finally he is transfered to U-Boats with more training followed by going to war. Finally came the sixth and last patrol; ending in surrender.There are two appendicies to the book. The first is a Pictorial Tour of the authors boat; the U-190 and the U-889; both type IXC long range boats. The type of submarines that were used in the patrols to North America; the Caribbean; the southern Atlantic; the Indian Ocean and the Orient. This pictorial tour is well illustrated. Mr. Hirschmann was the engineering officer on the boat; so as you would expect; these pictures feature most of the technical aspects of the boat. There is even a picture of the quite rare four rotor Navy Enigma machine.The second and somewhat smaller appendix is titled Life on a U-Boat. Again; it is fairly technical in nature.This is a splendid book; especially for the technically minded
