From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8?This eloquently written book opens with a retelling of the West African legend of the fearless warrior Amadou Sefedokote, who slew the sacred serpent Ouagadou-Bida and rescued the beautiful Sia from sacrificial death. The focus then shifts to the rise and fall of the once powerful empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. An intriguing sidelight is the additional information provided on the beginnings of Islam; its spread and impact in West Africa; and background information on its founder, Mohammed. The Mandinka Empire of Mali and its kings, Sundiata and Mansa Musa, and the Songhay Empire and its kings, Sunni Ali Ber and Askia Mohammed Toure, are also discussed. The epilogue mentions how Europeans, lured by the news of gold, came to West Africa and ended up in the slave trade. The McKissacks' The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay (Holt, 1995) provides more detail and information on the same subjects. Mann's book, with its more enticing and accessible format, many excellent full-color and black-and-white photographs, and African decorative motifs, is an excellent companion to that title.?Gebregeorgis Yohannes, San Francisco Public Library, Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Colorful legends and oral histories, geography and culture, original documents and archaeological evidence--all are utilized in this richly illustrated series to examine the rise and fall of some of the great African kingdoms from their founding to the colonial period.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Tim Whitney

Part of a series of six that examines the rise and fall of great African kingdoms of the past, this attractive book explores the history and legends of the ancient West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay. An explanation of the origin and influence of the Islam religion in the region is also included. Beautiful color photographs and designs decorate the text, accompanied by boxes with further details concerning special topics of interest. A pronunciation guide to new words, bibliography for further reading, and index are also included. An informative book for reference and a beautiful book for pleasure reading. Part of the "African Kingdoms of the Past" series.

School Library Journal