Mistaking Africa

Curiosities and Inventions of the American Mind

Contributors

By Curtis A Keim

By Carolyn Somerville

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  1. ebook $22.99
  2. Trade Paperback $38.00

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For many Americans the mention of Africa immediately conjures up images of safaris, ferocious animals, strangely dressed “tribesmen,” and impenetrable jungles. Although the occasional newspaper headline mentions authoritarian rule, corruption, genocide, devastating illnesses, or civil war in Africa, the collective American consciousness still carries strong mental images of Africa that are reflected in advertising, movies, amusement parks, cartoons, and many other corners of society. Few think to question these perceptions or how they came to be so deeply lodged in American minds. Mistaking Africa looks at the historical evolution of this mind-set and examines the role that popular media plays in its creation. The authors address the most prevalent myths and preconceptions and demonstrate how these prevent a true understanding of the enormously diverse peoples and cultures of Africa.

Updated throughout, the fourth edition covers the entire continent (North and sub-Saharan Africa) and provides new analysis of topics such as social media and the Internet, the Ebola crisis, celebrity aid, and the Arab Spring. Mistaking Africa is an important book for African studies courses and for anyone interested in unraveling American misperceptions about the continent.

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On Sale
Jul 25, 2017
Page Count
256 pages
Publisher
Avalon Publishing
ISBN-13
9780813350769

Curtis A Keim

About the Author

Curtis Keim is professor emeritus of history at Moravian College. He is a recipient of the College’s Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and he is coauthor of African Reflections: Art from Northeastern Zaire and coeditor of The Scramble for Art in Central Africa. Carolyn Somerville is associate professor of political science at Hunter College, CUNY. She is the author of Drought and Aid in the Sahel and co-author of Women’s Realities, Women’s Choices.

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