alex singleton

Just a beautifully written book filled the with vibrant Culture of Africa wrapped up with the fatalism of colonialism and the sweep of Islam from North Africa. Incredible insight into the lives of tribes from Mali, Ashanti, Timbuktu and Mandalay. Although I have never been to Western Africa I feel that I have through the words of this book. The character developments incredible with a wholistic understanding of the human condition. The book is sensitive and gentle and at the same time cruel and visceral unearthing how hard African life was under overwhelming odds.