African Heroes

July 1, 2005
Gr 5-8 -This series entry features 27 African individuals (only 3 are women) from ancient to modern times. Following a concise overview of the history of Africa, the text is divided into three parts: -Heroes of Ancient and Medieval Africa, - -Heroes of the Struggle against European Incursion, - and -Heroes of the Twentieth Century. - The profiles in the first two sections are brief and focus on highlights of the subjects' lives. Later entries are more detailed and therefore more suitable as sources for reports. The entries range from two pages (for Imhotep) to eight (for Nelson Mandela) and feature black-and-white photographs or drawings, which for the most part are uncaptioned. There is an error in the chapter on Patrice Lumumba (of Zaire/Congo); Haskins states that -Lt. Jerry Rawlings, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996. - Jerry Rawlings, however, became Ghana's (West Africa) head of state in 1981 and later its president. Overall, this book introduces readers to some lesser-known African heroes, along with others who are more readily identifiable. Haskins also gives readers insight into the circumstances surrounding these individuals and the obstacles they had to overcome." -Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH"

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