The Betrayal of Africa (Groundwork Guides)
As with other Groundwork Guides, this title offers a concise, exploratory look into a high-interest, controversial, and multifaceted topic. Here, Caplan presents a quick summary of how the legacy of many Western policies—the multipronged attack of slavery, colonialism, state-making, and resource-plundering—along with disastrous internal corruption and tyranny have relegated most of sub-Saharan Africa to its seemingly perpetual state of underdevelopment, famine, and genocide. Don’t mistake brevity for simplicity, though. Caplan isn’t afraid to delve into complexities, get personal and opinionated, and assign blame: the fact is that we in the West are deeply complicit in every crisis bedeviling Africa . . . and betraying its people. His writing is well sourced and largely effective, communicating a wealth of information about Africa’s severe problems and providing an occasional beacon of hope. This is ideal for classroom use, as a discussion-starter, or simply an eye-opening introduction to some of the world’s greatest mass tragedies. It makes clear just how sad it is that betrayal is likely the nicest word that could have been used in the title. Grades 9-12. --Ian Chipman--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.