John Murray

Rich though these stories are, Murray falls headlong into the trap of those who see Africa as an enormous repository of wild animals and no people. The 'wild' Africa they see is an empty playground. Other than a few - too few - anonymous African folktales, Murray includes not a single African writer; no Ngugi, no Chinua Achebe, no Wole Soyinka. There are no Africans in the long list of names in the dedication, nor (amazingly) in the list of recommended further reading. It is an omission that not only weakens his book, but leaves a bad taste in the mouth