Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa:
a critical bibliography. Print and Online
By Hans M. Zell
762 pp. 234 x 156mm cased ISBN-13: 978-0-9541029-5-1
£130.00/€195.00/$260.00, online access bundled with print
Publication date: 06 October 2008
Covering both print and online resources, this bibliography charts the growth of publishing and book development in the countries of Africa south of the Sahara, as well as including a very large number of entries on many other topics as they relate to books, reading and the “book chain” in Africa.
The content and focus of this new edition (the previous edition of which was published in 1996 under the title Publishing and Book Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Annotated Bibliography) has been substantially recast in several ways. Annotations and abstracts – which are often quite extensive – are now more evaluative rather than descriptive. Much greater emphasis is placed on the relative significance of the material included, thus offering a more critical dimension in reviewing the available literature on the topic.
The new edition contains 2,517 entries, of which 1,612 are entirely new entries. This includes almost 500 online resources, the majority of them freely accessible.
Henry Chakava, one of Africa's most innovative and most respected publisher, contributes a wide range-ranging introductory essay.
More details can be found at www.hanszell.co.uk/pbrssa/index.shtml.
Musiker, Reuben
“Some Highlights of Jewish Africana.” In Saving South African Judaica. (Johannnesburg: Scarecrow Books in association with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, 2007.) [12 pp.] ISBN 9780620396738
This bibliographic essay is the second part of a small but densely-packed volume on South African archives of Judaica, and describes major events in the history of the South African Jewish community “as mirrored through the vital documentation of the time” ([p.1]. Using a very selected list of sources, the author highlights bibliographies and indexes, bibliophiles and book collectors, historical accounts, immigration, the Yiddish language, benevolent and self-help societies, and yearbooks. The list of references contains 54 citations.
Musiker, Reuben
Tracing Your Family Roots: A Guide to Sources of Information in South African Jewish Genealogy.
Johannesburg: Scarecrow Books in association with South African Jewish Board of Deputies, 2008. 31 pp. ISBN 9780620402844
Reuben and Naomi Musiker (whose help the author acknowledges in his preface) are masters of archives and bibliography, with over a hundred titles in OCLC. This brief volume is a model research guide, with rigorously selected sources and unusually informative annotations. Arranged in two main parts: a "Directory of genealogical information services," including a number of Internet sources and the relevant Mormon archives, and a "Select annotated bibliography of essential works of reference." The work ends with instructions (complete with contact information) to place an ad in the South African Jewish Report "if all else fails." Includes an index. Highly recommended.
Kalu, Kalu, N.
State Power, Autarchy, and Political Conquest in Nigerian Federalism. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2008. 309 pp. ISBN 9780739119556 (cloth: alk. paper)
The author “challenges the established wisdom that ethnicity drives conflict and holds back Nigeria, pushing us instead to look at what he sees as the structural defects in the Nigerian federation, for which he prescribes a consociational remedy.” More details and ordering information at : http://www.rowmanlittlefield.com/ISBN/0739119559
ISN (International Relations & Security Network), based Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (ETHZ), is a rich database of full-text materials on international relations, area studies, international business, security and military studies, comparative studies, and human rights, an enormous collection for African Studies, including featured new stories and commentaries on socio-political realities in Africa. ISN also offers an “international perspective with grey literature of all types, daily briefings, a monthly summary, primary source material, books, and many journals - over 14,500 items primarily in English in the Publishing House section alone (3,000 more than 6 months ago) - from institutes, universities, and agencies around the world (including the USA, of course), as well as case studies and hundreds of e-Learning courses, all in full-text, and abstracted, archived, and indexed.”
According to Richard Dill, ISN's contact person:
“After you've explored the site, we would very much like to have your opinion. ISN will soon undergo a major redesign and enhancement in content. While ISN has a dedicated staff of 60, including a small number in a satellite office in New York and correspondents stationed worldwide, the site is a collaborative effort. We are keen to have your perspective!
ISN International Relations & Security Network is without charge or restriction in access.
I would be happy to provide more information about the site and answer any questions you may have about it.”
Richard Dill
dill@sipo.gess.ethz.ch
The ISN @ http://www.isn.ethz.ch
The Center for the Study and Research of African Women in Cinema – http://www.africanwomenincinema.org “provides a space for study and research of myriad topics relating to African women in cinema”.
The African Geographical Review (AGR), (ISSN 1937-6812), is a peer-reviewed academic journal published once per year by the Africa Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers. Complete information on the journal, including an index of back issues, may be found at http://www.macalester.edu/geography/agr/index.htm. The AGR is one of only two academic journals specializing in the publication of geographic scholarship related to Africa (the other publication is the South African Geographical Journal). The AGR publishes articles on Africa from scholars based all over the world, including a large number at African universities. While the journal is small, it has a long and distinguished history. The journal was originally founded at Makerere University in Uganda and was published from 1963 to 1976 as the East African Geographical Review. Due to political turmoil in Uganda, the journal then had to suspend publication for a number of years. The journal was eventually brought to the United States by African geographers and renamed as the African Geographical Review in 2000.
Information on our subscription rate for institutions, http://www.macalester.edu/geography/agr/subscription.htm
William Moseley,
Editor
moseley@macalester.edu
Tel: 651-696-6126, Fax: 651-696-6116
Kefa Otiso,
Associate Editor
African Geographical Review http://www.macalester.edu/geography/agr
Africa: Atlas of Our Changing Environment – Launched by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), features over 300 satellite images of every country in Africa from more than a 100 locations. More at : http://www.scidev.net/en/announcements/africa-atlas-of-our-changing-environment.html
Against the Grain, (ISSN: 1043-2094) provides “latest news about libraries, publishers, book jobbers, and subscription agents. It is a unique collection of reports on the issues, literature, and people that impact the world of books and journals.” Fee-based print/online subscription. http://www.against-the-grain.com/d/
Journal of African Cinema to be launched soon. More information at http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/journals.php?issn=17549221
Inside Higher Ed for “daily e-mail review of top news stories, provocative opinion and great new careers in higher education – delivered to your inbox each weekday.” http://www.insidehighered.com/