This groundbreaking book examines the full range of African-European encounters from an African perspective rather than from the customary European one. By featuring vivid life stories of individual Africans and drawing upon their many recorded sentiments; author David Northrup presents African perspectives that persuasively challenge stereotypes about African-European relations as they unfolded in Africa; Europe; and the Atlantic world between 1450 and 1850.Africa's Discovery of Europe features thematically organized chapters that explore first impressions; religion and politics; commerce and culture; imported goods and technology; the Middle Passage; and Africans in Europe. In addition; Northrup offers a thoughtful examination of Africans' relations--intellectual; commercial; cultural; and sexual--with Europeans; tracing how the patterns of behavior that emerged from these encounters shaped pre-colonial Africa. The book concludes with an examination of the roles of race; class; and culture in early modern times; pointing out which themes in Africa's continuing discovery of Europe after 1850 were similar to earlier patterns; and why other themes were different. Brief; inexpensive; and accessible; the third edition of Africa's Discovery of Europe offers an insightful look at the tumultuous and enduring relations between these two continents.
#1351391 in Books 2012-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.80 x 1.00 x 8.30l; .83 #File Name: 0199916985256 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. What it takes to be a peacemakerBy Michael J. LoweDespite the proliferation of conflict resolution courses at universities around the world; many of the most effective peacemakers are not academics and have not graduated from such courses. I remember talking to someone with great experience of mediation in New Guinea who had been given an honorary professorship in conflict resolution. 'Academics should be on tap;' he said; 'not on top.' There are aspects of being a peacemaker which cannot be simply learned from books and theory. They spring from the inner life; the struggle with our inner demons. They are the result of a life well-lived.Marc Gopin is an academic - a professor of Religion; Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. But he is also a longstanding practitioner of peace in that most difficult of theatres; the Middle East. In his peacemaking capacity he has build up a network of friends who are peacemakers: Israeli Jews; Palestinians and Syrians. In this book; which accompanies a film project (Unusual Pairs [...]); he allows them to speak about the practice of peace in their own words.The result is something wonderful and rich. A peek into the spiritual lives of these extraordinary men and women who point the way forward. Each one is unique and yet common patterns emerge which Gopin draws out: the incredible self-awareness; the emotional intelligence; the courage to keep stepping out of comfort-zones towards the feared 'other'; the love of land as a basis of healing and unity rather than division. They share a commitment to creating social networks as an ethical and often a spiritual practice. They are experts at using gestures which come from the heart and go beyond words; along with the practice of storytelling as a way of sharing identities and hard memories. And they share a commitment to truth-telling about their own sides; including a willingness to hear hard truths and ask the hard questions; no matter where they lead.Since the book was written; Syria has descended further into violence and as I write this review; 'Operation Pillar of Cloud' is escalating the conflict with Gaza. Such setbacks for peace are; sadly; almost routine in this part of the world. Lots of people come to the Holy Land filled with ideals of peace. But the historic weight of pain and division causes may of them to burn out and leave disillusioned. This study of the spiritual lives of peacemakers serves as a great resource for anyone who is ready to commit themselves for the long-term and who wants to know what it takes to be a bridge across impossible divides.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Valuable ResourceBy Jeff GaleI am in the process of conducting research in preparation for the sequel to my novel; "The Ballad of East and West"; also sold on .com. The information that I gleaned is most valuable.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A little hard to followBy Carol L. TuckSince this book is a study mostly made up of the words of both Jewish and Paletinian peacemakers in English which is not the primary language of most of the people covered; it was a little hard to follow. Nevertheless it was worth the effort. Peacemaking requires courage; and these people have it.
