THE CHALLENGE FOR AFRICA

This book is part history and part political manifesto. Author Wangari Maathai, the Nobel laureate who founded the Green Belt Movement, tries to unravel the complex culture of sub-Saharan Africa and offers blunt advice on how the region is to succeed in the modern world, stressing personal responsibility. She readily admits the challenge is great, but the price of inaction is equally great. Actress Chinasa Ogbuagu narrates, as she did the author's autobiography, UNBOWED. Her delivery adds to the atmosphere. During passages of complex political analysis, she slows her pace to allow the listener to absorb the key points. And she lets her emotion rise at important moments. The narrative flows effectively, but the author's frustration at inaction is palpable. Happily, her sense of hope shines through. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2009]