20 Best African Books (2023 Update)

A new york times bestseller the host of the daily show, trevor noah, tells the story of growing up half black, half white in south africa under and after apartheid in this young readers' adaptation of his bestselling adult memoir born a crime: stories from a south african childhood. born a crime is soon to be a major motion picture starring oscar winner lupita nyong'o trevor noah, the funny guy who hosts the daily show on comedy central, shares his remarkable story of growing up in south africa with a black south african mother and a white european father at a time when it was against the law for a mixed-race child to exist. but he did exist–and from the beginning, the often-misbehaved trevor used his keen smarts and humor to navigate a harsh life under a racist government. this fascinating memoir blends drama, comedy, and tragedy to depict the day-to-day trials that turned a boy into a young man. in a country where racism barred blacks from social, educational, and economic opportunity, trevor surmounted staggering obstacles and created a promising future for himself, thanks to his mom's unwavering love and indomitable will. it's trevor noah: born a crime not only provides a fascinating and honest perspective on south africa's racial history, but it will also astound and inspire young readers looking to improve their own lives. "through the foreign, the familiar, and the funny, born a crime is a piercing reminder that every mad life–even yours–could end up a masterpiece." –jason reynolds, new york times bestselling author "his mother raised him with an imagination and showed that there were no barriers to whatever he wanted to be. readers will find this journey through noah's formative years humorous and exciting." –booklist "startling in its honesty, humor, and humility." –kirkus reviews "for readers who will appreciate and understand how a parent's love enabled noah to become the successful man he is now." –school library journal

A breathtakingly beautiful oracle deck of 44 african goddesses, spirits, queens, and ancestors from many powerful peoples and pantheons-reaching from the continent of africa and throughout the diaspora by intuitive spiritual teacher abiola abrams. "from the moment that i received the sacred assignment to birth this deck, these magical folks would not leave me alone. i come from generations of intuitives and healers, so divine channeling is not new to me. but these oracle keepers were persistent! they "dreamed me," pursued me, and guided me through this co-creation. although african spirituality is vast, most practices share foundational beliefs including: ancestral veneration, reverence for elders and community, respecting natural phenomenon, and the power to transmute obstacles. this deck is faithful to our sacred truths and secrets passed down through oral tradition. this deck will support you as a tool for divination, healing, awakening, and personal development. rise up. it is your time. asè!" (the power to make things happen or so let it be) – from the guidebook about the author abiola abrams is a self-worth midwife, spiritual success mindset coach, advice columnist and motivational speaker. she is founder of spiritpreneur academy, where she helps women leaders move out of their own way and claim their power.

In the small african republic of kinjanja, british diplomat morgan leafy bumbles heavily through his job. his love of women, his fondness for drink, and his loathing for the country prove formidable obstacles on his road to any kind of success. but when he becomes an operative in operation kingpin and is charged with monitoring the front runner in kinjanja’s national elections, morgan senses an opportunity to achieve real professional recognition and, more importantly, reassignment.after he finds himself being blackmailed, diagnosed with a venereal disease, attempting bribery, and confounded with a dead body, morgan realizes that very little is going according to plan.

Novelist ngugi wa thiong'o has been a force in african literature for decades: since the 1970s, when he gave up the english language to commit himself to writing in african languages, his foremost concern has been the critical importance of language toc

From a to z, stunning color photographs depict everyday life in nigeria, where the author-photographer grew up—but the images pictured also represent the rich diversity of africa, and the warm family ties and traditional village life found throughout this vast colorful continent. "a talented photographer, onyefulu [offers] and incisive, sophisticated view of her homeland’s rich heritage."—publishers weekly"visually appealing."—kirkus reviews

The new, fully-updated edition of the acclaimed textbook covering 200 years of african history a history of modern africa explores two centuries of the continent’s political, economic, and social history. this thorough yet accessible text help readers to understand key concepts, recognize significant themes, and identify the processes that shaped the modern history of africa. emphasis is placed on the consequences of colonial rule, and the links between the precolonial and postcolonial eras. author richard reid, a prominent scholar and historian on the subject, argues that africa’s struggle for economic and political stability in the nineteenth century escalated and intensified through the twentieth century, the effects of which are still felt in the present day. the new third edition offers substantial updates and revisions that consider recent events and historiography. greater emphasis is placed on african agency, particularly during the colonial period, and the importance of the long-term militarization of african political culture. discussions of the postcolonial period have been updated to reflect recent developments, including those in north africa. adopting a long-term approach to current african issues, this text: explores the legacies of the nineteenth century and the colonial period in the context of the contemporary era highlights the role of nineteenth century and long-term internal dynamics in africa’s modern challenges combines recent scholarship with concise and effective narrative features maps, illustrations, expanded references, and comprehensive endnotes a history of modern africa: 1800 to the present, 3rd edition is an excellent introduction to the subject for undergraduate students in relevant courses, and for general readers with interest in modern african history and current affairs.

A great amount of research in a highly organized manner. it is of vital importance to the african-american and the world community. this information is essential for professionals and everyone to utilize in lifestyle and to self. (william richardson, m.d., atlanta clinic for preventive medicine, ga)

[this novel] is basd on the true life story of hason al-wazzan, the sixteenth-century traveller and writer who came to be known as leo the africanus, or leo the african. from his childhood in fez, having fled the christian inquisition, through his many journeys to the east as an intinerant merchant, hasan's story is a quixotic catalogue of pirates, slave-girls and princesses, encompassing the complexities of a world in a state of religious flux. hasan too is touched by the instability of the era, performing his hadj to mecca, then converting to christianity, only to revert to the musslim faith later in life. in re-creating his extraordinary experiences, amin maalouf sketches an irresistible portrait of the mediterranean world as it was nearly five centuries ago – the fall of granada, the ottoman conquest of egypt, renaissance rome under the medicis: all contribute to a background of spectacular colour, matched only by the picaresque adventures of hasan's life.

The purpose of the original african heritage study bible is to interpret the bible as it relates specifically to persons of african descent and thereby to foster an appreciation of the multiculturalism inherent in the bible. the original african heritage study bible offers a number of unique features which reveal the african/edenic contribution to judaism and christianity, including: 1) highlighted verses about africa and biblical characters of african descent; 2) 48 pages of reference to african/edenic persons, places and events; 3) original art reproductions taken from the mafa tribe collection of cameroon, africa; 4) full-color maps showing where important african/edenic events and places occurred in the ancient world; 5) 101 favorite bible verses from people of the african diaspora; 6) specially selected articles by outstanding national bible scholars; and 7) words and music to famous slave songs.

Gathering a wide range of traditional african myths, this compelling new collection offers tales of heroes battling mighty serpents and monstrous birds, brutal family conflict and vengeance, and desperate migrations across vast and alien lands. from impassioned descriptions of animal-creators to dramatic stories of communities forced to flee monstrous crocodiles, all the narratives found here concern origins—whether of the universe, peoples or families. together, they create a kaleidoscopic picture of the rich and varied oral traditions that have shaped the culture and society of successive generations of africans for thousands of years, throughout the long struggle to survive and explore this massive and environmentally diverse continent.for more than seventy years, penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the english-speaking world. with more than 1,700 titles, penguin classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Amazing africa: a to z is a fun and resourceful book that takes children and even adults on a visual journey throughout the continent of africa. readers will visit the pinnacle of mount kilimanjaro, learn a few new words in swahili and twi while exploring africa's rich natural resources.the purpose of the book is to aid in learning about the most important and intriguing facts about africa. with the turn of each page, the authors help to bridge the knowledge gap that exists about the continent. each page is filled with key facts about the fastest growing population in the world.the book will inspire the next generation to learn more about amazing africa and become global citizens.

The seven african powers, also known as the orishas, are spirits from the supreme creator in african religion.these spirits are thought to give guidance for life issues and problems. modern santeria, voodoo, and other caribbean traditions still value this practice today. it can be found in different south american cultures as well.this book will guide you through learning about the seven african powers…who they are, what they represent, and how each has a different temperament. you'll also know how the orishas can be used in your home and daily routine.once you discover the orishas, you'll be on your way to understanding which one will best help you work through difficulties and move forward in life.

An exciting revision of the best-selling anthology for african american literary survey courses. the much-anticipated third edition brings together the work of 140 writers from 1746 to the present writing in all genres, as well as performers of vernacular forms–from spirituals and sermons to jazz and hip hop. fresh scholarship, new visuals and media, and new selections–with an emphasis on contemporary writers–combine to make the norton anthology of african american literature an even better teaching tool for instructors and an unmatched value for students.

“a landmark . . . brilliantly [demonstrates] has that there is far more to black history than the slave trade.”—john a. williams they came before columbus reveals a compelling, dramatic, and superbly detailed documentation of the presence and legacy of africans in ancient america. examining navigation and shipbuilding; cultural analogies between native americans and africans; the transportation of plants, animals, and textiles between the continents; and the diaries, journals, and oral accounts of the explorers themselves, ivan van sertima builds a pyramid of evidence to support his claim of an african presence in the new world centuries before columbus.

Organized by major themes—such as creation stories, and resistance to oppression—this collection gather works of imagination, politics and history, religion, and culture from many societies and across recorded time. asante and abarry marshal together ancient, anonymous writers whose texts were originally written on stone and papyri and the well-known public figures of more recent times whose spoken and written words have shaped the intellectual history of the diaspora. within this remarkably wide-ranging volume are such sources as prayers and praise songs from ancient kemet and ethiopia along with african american spirituals; political commentary from c.l.r. james, malcolm x, mary mc – leod bethune, and joseph nyerere; stirring calls for social justice from david walker, abdias nacimento, franzo fanon, and martin luther king, jr. featuring newly translated texts and ocuments published for the first time, the volume also includes an african chronology, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography. with this landmark book, asante and abarry offer a major contribution to the ongoing debates on defining the african canon. author note:molefi kete asanteis professor and chair of african american studies at temple university and author of several books, including – the afrocentric idea(temple) and – the historical and cultural atlas of african americans. – abu s. abarryis assistant chair of african american studies at temple university.

Here, collected for the first time in everyman’s library, are the three internationally acclaimed classic novels that comprise what has come to be known as chinua achebe’s “african trilogy”—with an intorduction by chimamanda ngozi adichie . beginning with the best-selling things fall apart—on the heels of its fiftieth anniversary—the african trilogy captures a society caught between its traditional roots and the demands of a rapidly changing world. achebe’s most famous novel introduces us to okonkwo, an important member of the igbo people, who fails to adjust as his village is colonized by the british. arrow of god tells the story of ezuelu, the chief priest of several nigerian villages, and his battle with christian missionaries.in these masterful novels, achebe brilliantly sets universal tales of personal and moral struggle in the context of the tragic drama of colonization.

A mesmerizing novel of love and nostalgia set in the vast spaces of contemporary east africa.romantic, often resonantly ironic, moving and wise, rules of the wild transports us to a landscape of unsurpassed beauty even as it gives us a sharp-eyed portrait of a closely knit tribe of cultural outsiders: the expatriates living in kenya today. challenged by race, by class, and by a longing for home, here are "safari boys" and samaritans, reporters bent on their own fame, travelers who care deeply about elephants but not at all about the people of africa. they all know each other. they meet at dinner parties, they sleep with each other, they argue about politics and the best way to negotiate their existence in a place where they don't really belong. at the center is esmé, a beautiful young woman of dazzling ironies and introspections, who tells us her story in a voice both passionate and self-deprecating. against a paradoxical backdrop of limitless physical freedom and escalating civil unrest, esmé struggles to make sense of her own place in africa and of her feelings for the two men there whom she loves–adam, a second-generation kenyan who is the first to show her the wonders of her adopted land, and hunter, a british journalist sickened by its horrors. rules of the wild evokes the worlds of isak dinesen, beryl markham, and ernest hemingway. it explores unforgettably our infinite desire for a perfect elsewhere, for love and a place to call home. it is an astonishing literary debut.

In 2002, at the annual zimbabwe international book fair, twelve literary books by african women were included for the first time in the category of “africa’s 100 best books of the twentieth century.” this was an important but belated affirmation of women writers on the continent and a first step toward establishing a recognized canon of african women’s literature.the twelve best books by african women is a collection of critical essays on eleven works of fiction and one play. the titles by african women that were included in the list of “africa’s 100 best books of the twentieth century” are: anowa, ama ata aidoo (1970); a question of power, bessie head (1974); woman at point zero, nawal el saadawi (1975); the beggars’ strike, aminata sow fall (1979); burger’s daughter, nadine gordimer (1979); the joys of motherhood, buchi emesheta (1979); so long a letter, mariama bâ (1980); fantasia: an algerian cavalcade, assia djebar (1983); nervous conditions, tsitsi dangarembga (1988); living, loving and lying awake at night, sindiwe magona (1991); butterfly burning, yvonne vera (1998); riwan ou le chemin de sable, ken bugul (1999). this collection of original essays recognizes the gesture of inclusion as an important shift in consciousness and creates a fresh awareness of the literary works by african women writers. each essay offers a penetrating analysis of individual texts and opens up a fresh perspective that allows scholars and students alike to explore new dimensions of these writers’ work.

An inspiring exploration of the goddesses of the west african spiritual traditions and their role in shaping yoruba (ifa), santeria, haitian vodoun, and new orleans voodoo.throughout africa and beyond in the diaspora caused by the slave trade, the divine feminine was revered in the forms of goddesses like the ancient nana buluku, water spirits like yemaya, oshun, and mami wata, and the warrior oya. the power of these goddesses and spirit beings has taken root in the west. new orleans, for example, is the home of marie laveau, who used her magical powers to become the "voodoo queen" of new orleans.orishas, goddesses, and voodoo queens shows you how to celebrate and cultivate the traits of these goddesses, drawing upon their strengths to empower your own life. in addition to offering a guided tour of the key goddesses of the african religious traditions, the book offers magical spells, rituals, potions, astrological correspondences, sacred offerings, and much more to help guide you on your own transformational journey.

An absorbing, highly acclaimed examination of africa's transition from colonialism to revolution to the social turmoil of today. "probably the most concise indictment available in the english language of how colonialism and neocolonialism, with a lot of help from capitalism and communism, turned the continent upside down".–the washington post.