PDF The French Canadians of Michigan: Their Contribution to the Development of the Saginaw Valley and the Keweenaw Peninsula; 1840-1914 (Great Lakes Books Series) by Jean Lamarre in History

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For the last decade Liberia has been one of Africa's most violent trouble spots. In 1990; when thousands of teenage fighters; including young men wearing women's clothing and bizarre objects of decoration; laid siege to the capital; the world took notice. Since then Liberia has been through devastating civil upheaval and the most feared warlord; Charles Taylor; is now president. What began as a civil conflict; has spread to other West African nations.Western correspondents saw in the Liberian war a primeval; savage Africa-a "heart of darkness." They focused on sensational "primitive" aspects of the conflict; such as the prevalence of traditional healers and soothsayers; and shocked the international community with tales of cannibalism; especially the eating of the body parts of defeated opponents; which was widespread.Eschewing popular stereotypes and simple explanations; Stephen Ellis traces the history of the civil war that has blighted Liberia in recent years and looks at its political; ethnic and cultural roots. He focuses on the role religion and ritual have played in shaping and intensifying this brutal war.