Much has been written about African history and culture and yet one will comb this vast literature nearly in vain for a complete and comprehensive survey of African civilizations by a single author. The multi-volume UNESCO General History of Africa 1 is, in effect, an anthology and while valuable and wide-ranging, suffers the limitations that all works of collective authorship do. Not all the essays are of comparable quality, different ‘schools of thought’ contend with one another, and a consequent lack of consistency and a unifying thread compromises the impact of the grand sweep of civilization on the world’s second-largest continent, the original home of humankind. A single author, with the requisite scholarly foundation and literary skills, could bring a certain seamlessness to the topic.
African Medicine: A Spirit Science Out of the Shadows
by Charles S. Finch III, M.D.
This groundbreaking book uncovers the rich history of African healing traditions — from the medical genius of Imhotep and ancient Egyptian science to the spiritual practices of West African healers. Dr. Charles Finch combines updated essays, field studies, and deep cultural insight to reveal a holistic approach to medicine that unites body, mind, and spirit.