Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles
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Product Description
Review
'A superb collection of essays ... Dowden's journalism is provocative and refreshing' -Financial Times --Review
Review
'A masterly overview of the world's most troubled continent ... This is non-fiction writing at its most authentic' -Daily Telegraph
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is almost 600 pages long, and still feels like an abridged account of Africa. I actually thought it was pretty bold to call the book 'Africa' - like a little boy with a toy gun calling himself a cowboy, so I approached the book expecting to disparage it immediately. Having grown up in some of the countries written about in the book, I realized Dowden had actually lived through it enough to warrant telling the tale. I believe this book far outranks many of the history books on Africa, and should be required reading for all high school kids.
Post colonial Africa evokes different types of emotions depending on which side of the railway line you grew up on, so its easy to understand why descendants of the colonialists themselves might not find this an easy read. Dowden places a great deal of the blame for Africa's woes squarely on them and other factors like foreign aid. My opinion is biased because I tend to agree.
Those without any type of bias will find the book extremely fascinating. Discovering Africa through Dowden has left me feeling that I should make the same commitment and re-discover the beautiful continent of Africa.
Post colonial Africa evokes different types of emotions depending on which side of the railway line you grew up on, so its easy to understand why descendants of the colonialists themselves might not find this an easy read. Dowden places a great deal of the blame for Africa's woes squarely on them and other factors like foreign aid. My opinion is biased because I tend to agree.
Those without any type of bias will find the book extremely fascinating. Discovering Africa through Dowden has left me feeling that I should make the same commitment and re-discover the beautiful continent of Africa.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book should be required reading for anyone with an interest in Africa. The author has a profound understanding, through many years of experience, of what makes Africa tick. His writing is underscored by an evident personal commitment and compassion for the continent and its inhabitants. Africa is at a cross roads in its development following the momentous developments at the end of the last century and with a new, powerful influence from Asia and China in particular. The old practices which have led to rampant corruption might at last be under threat with the emergence of a new middle class who understand the need for change for the betterment of their countries. Time will tell but this book gives cause for cautious optimism although the road ahead is a long one. Don't hesitate, read it!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Richard Dowden, before taking up the post for the Economist, has been for many years the Africa Editor of the Independent. I was very curious to read his work and I have found, first of all, the immense love he feels for the continent! According to me this is important... he can transmit passion to the reader. I believe the author has a profound and intimate understanding of the topics he writes about thanks to the many years he has spent in Africa... some of his points are arguable but for sure give rise to your brain to think.
I would recommend this book as it is updated, easy to read and very positive! After reading it, you will have a very different picture of Africa, compared to what you generally see on the media (often portrayed, sometimes by some aid agencies, as a pitiable place of poverty). It is a message of hope, optimism (but not the blind one!) and richness. Anyway I was expecting more on the "ordinary miracles" stated on the title! However, in general, I really like it... I have found some parts very moving, and loved the chapter on the "positive positive women".
I would recommend this book as it is updated, easy to read and very positive! After reading it, you will have a very different picture of Africa, compared to what you generally see on the media (often portrayed, sometimes by some aid agencies, as a pitiable place of poverty). It is a message of hope, optimism (but not the blind one!) and richness. Anyway I was expecting more on the "ordinary miracles" stated on the title! However, in general, I really like it... I have found some parts very moving, and loved the chapter on the "positive positive women".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Short on accurate details
Entertaining coffee table book, I must say. Being an African myself I found much of it lacking in proper detail, dates were wrong, political and military detail, especially for... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Babgess
Excellent read.
This is an excellent read, well written and filled with great insight. However, the book should be subtitled; 'The wars I've visited'. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Andrew Campbell
Original, well written, refreshing.
Why 5 stars?
1. Because it is one of those rare books on Africa that portrays its peoples with empathy and understanding. Read more
1. Because it is one of those rare books on Africa that portrays its peoples with empathy and understanding. Read more
Published 9 months ago by gwaan
Very good read
This book equals Meredith's 'The State of Africa' as a very well written account of areas of African history in an easily accessible writing style. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Aftiti
Exposure!
A revealing account of the political sleaze in Africa. Richard Dowden attempts to show how the political and economic chaos has panned out as a consequence of the actions and... Read more
Published 10 months ago by JAM
Great present for anyone who loves Africa!
Beautifully written, extraordinary range of experiences reported (some harrowing, some inspiring), unobtrusively erudite, and wise in its interpretations. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Silvanus
Illuminating
Well-written book in a journalistic style. in some ways it is like a collection of short stories in that the chapters can be read in isolation and still be very informative. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Observer
Africa
An in depth insight into the history and political situations of various States in Africa. Easy to read and very well written. Highly recommended.
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. J. E. Marks
A magnificent achievement.
One of the very few books I have read that lives up to the reviews on its back cover! Well written. Sensitivity and intelligence on every page. A Must Read.
Published on 8 May 2010 by Andrew
Out Of Africa
This book was a pleasure to read. It's informative, personal - yet detatched - observant, critical and, above all, written by someone who understands and has a passion for Africa,... Read more
Published on 8 May 2010 by Neutral
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