Author: Christopher Spring
Published 1983, British Museum Press, ISBN 0714125083
Published in the US by Smithsonian Institution Press 1993, ISBN 1-56098-317-5

This book was published some time ago, but a fresh batch of copies appears now to be available. I obtained my copy from Andrew Barnes at Military Melbourne for AUS$35 (USD$22) to send it to my mate Gerry Webb of Castaway Arts. You can contact Military Melbourne on 00 11 61 3 9510 7965 or andrew_barnes@labyrinth.net.au.

Contents are as follows:

1. Arab and Berber North African and the Sahara
2. Knights of the Savanna Warfare in Sudanic Africa
3. The Forest Kingdoms of West Africa
4. The Shining Mystery Throwing Knives of Africa
5. Royal Blacksmiths The Kuba Kingdom and the Congo Basin
6. The Horn of Africa
7. Cattle and Conflict ^ East African Pastoralists and their Neighbours
8. Mfecane The Zulu and the Nguni Diaspora in Southern Africa Apart from plenty of pics (30 colour and 130 b/w) and descriptions of weapons, there are brief analyses of the organisation and fighting styles of the various tribes and groups.

Surprisingly, and perhaps wisely, Zulu and Mahidist information is brief with the work concentrating on less high profile groups. Pictures range from 19thC engravings and photos of warriors in full regalia to pictures of weapons in the BM,s collections to modern colour photos of dress and weapons that have changed little.

Especially good are the sections on the Ashanti, Ethiopians/Abyssinians, Azande and Tuareg. This should please any wargamer looking for quality info that is usually difficult to find.

To pinch a phrase from our esteemed editor, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.