A lively and readable introduction to contemporary Africa, covering the entire continent. A majority of the contributors are Africans who have held senior positions in government and in international organizations. Rather than presenting narrow case studies, the various chapters attempt to paint a very broad picture of modern Africa while they discuss several examples in sufficient detail to make them memorable. In addition to forward-looking chapters on agricultural and economic change, authors focus on the exuberance of pro-democracy movements; problems of urban poverty; agricultural change at the village level; renewed conflicts over ethnic identity; corruption at the highest levels; population growth outstripping resources; and religious fundamentalism among both Christians and Muslims.