Re: Vincent Khapoya
Harold Marcus (ethiopia@hs1.hst.msu.edu)
Fri, 23 Jun 1995 10:58:51 -0400
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 1995
From: Rhiman A. Rotz <RROTZ@iunhaw1.iun.indiana.edu>
I considered, but did not use, Khapoya for my introductory African civ
course, and turned to it from time to time while in the course. So I have
read most, if not all, of it. I would agree with most of what Pier Larson
said. Certainly it's spotty -- some very useful parts and some very
disappointing parts. Of course, using a book as a resource for students
about to go to Africa is significantly different than using it as a text,
and that use might play to its strengths and minimize its weaknesses
(particularly since I think, if memory serves -- I don't have the book in
front of me -- Khapoya himself grew up in Kenya). But I would think that
even for that use the collection *Africa* put together by Phyllis Martin
and Patrick O'Meara would work better. It's a bit spotty too, of course,
but that's less disturbing in a work with lots of different authors. I
think that a new 3d edition of their book is coming out fairly soon.
Anyway, Khapoya definitely is useful, but read it all before
deciding to assign it.
Dr. Rhiman A. Rotz, Associate Professor of History
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, Indiana 46408, USA
Phone: (219) 980-6973
E-mail: rrotz@iunhaw1.iun.indiana.edu