Another Africa

by Robert Lyons (Photographer), Chinua Achebe (Contributor)

Another Africa is a book that fuses photographs, poetry, and text to create a view of present-day Africa that moves beyond the stereotypes commonly held by most westerners: an open-air ethnographic museum, a continent in constant turmoil, a vast expanse of beautiful sand dunes and tropical savannas where herds of wildlife roam. This work peels away myths to explore the complexity, diversity, and human dimensions of a place called Africa--one that celebrates the commonplace and exotic simultaneously. The photographs are highly subjective, a personal investigation that reflects the sensibilities, formal concerns, and the ongoing engagement of the photographer in this part of the world.

With the brilliant Chinua Achebe--a Nigerian--contributing his poems and an essay, the book takes on a further and critical dimension. He presents a concise view of Africa today, including the individual and political issues facing its countries. He deals with Africa on its own terms--from within, not from an outsider's perspective.

Genres: Africa, Photography

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that this book is twenty years old, and that a lot of what it says about European misunderstandings about Africa still holds true is alarming. Nonetheless, the photographs are lovely - humanized African portraits and landscapes - as are Achebe's poetry and essay.

[Trishia Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Africa is a very varied continent and this book shows that through some excellent photographs by Robert Lyons. There are also several poems and an essay by Chinua Achebe. I had read the essay before and Achebe's main point about African people being seen only as victims of colonialism and exploitation is well made, although somewhat outdated.
I bought this book from a charity which helps people who are victims, of conflict, climate and other factors, which might include exploitation and the residual effects of colonialism, but I am aware that is not the whole story.