Senegal: An African Nation Between Islam and the West

by Sheldon Gellar

Explains the early and enduring influence of Islam, western imperialism, and French colonial rule that has made the West African, maritime and Sahelian country a crossroads of traditional African, Islamic, and European cultures. Also traces Senegal's political, economic, and social evolution since independence and its continuing role as a model for Francophone Africa despite its apparently endemic poverty and small population. The second edition analyzes events since 1983, particularly the 1993 multiparty elections, the 1994 devaluation, and the return of Abdoulaye Wade to the government in 1995. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: Africa, History

170 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A just dandy abbreviated history of Senegal. There is little to find fault with. The work is divided topically with a longer historical portion forming the first section. Gellar then breaks this bad-boy down by politics, economics, culture, and ethnic stuff. It could use a bit more integration, maybe placing the political bits more in with the outright historical sections, but it doesn't detract from the work. In need of an update or a new edition since it ends right around 2000.