When I first came across this gem from Karen Blixen's majordomo, it made my year... never before nor since has the silly mazungu's exploits in Africa been so lovingly & creatively captured quite as well. Simple & naive in all the best senses, with some great Peter Beard photography, try get this one for your coffee table back home...

My #1 choice of books about Africa - not because of emotional reasons, nor because I think the man was a legend in every way, but because it really should (as the cover says) be read by every person alive... 'nuff said

This selection covers the whole series of these light-hearted & sweet rooibos-infused books about Mma Ramotswe & the goings on at her detective agency. Alexander McCall Smith's books provide some easy reading for your travels & such a breath of fresh air considering all the serious & depressing books on Africa these days...

Thomas Pakenham (he of Boer War & Meetings with Remarkable Trees fame) writes arguably the most detailed & most enjoyable account yet of the period 1880-1914 when Africa was the plaything of a handful of powerful Europeans. All you ever need to know about how colonial Africa was created & why it was (often) such a mess...

Alexandra Fuller writes a moving coming-of-age story about her own wonder years growing up in Zimbabwe/Rhodesia. A close tie with Peter Godwin's Mukiwa, which tells a similar tale from a male perspective... get both & enjoy! Also check out both authors' follow up books (3 from each)

My selection bolter...relatively unknown but brilliant series of shorts that capture the magic & wonder of Africa's darker spots - Africa unveiled by an author using beautiful imagery & phrasing...