OCTOBER 31, 2012<\/p>\n
The fifth edition of Understanding Contemporary Africa<\/em>, by Donald L. Gordon and\u00a0April A. Gordon, has been published by Lynne Rienner Publishers. Donald L. Gordon is professor of political science and director of the Richard W. Riley Institute of Government, Politics, and Public Leadership at Furman. April A. Gordon is professor emeritus of sociology and director of the women’s studies program at Winthrop University.<\/p>\n The publisher says the latest edition of the book\u00a0\u201chas been thoroughly revised to reflect the many significant events and trends of the past six years \u2014 seismic political changes, the impact of the new information technology, the strong presence of China and other foreign powers, and much more.<\/p>\n \u201cThe authors provide current analyses not only of history, politics, and economics, but also geography, environmental concerns, population shifts, and social and cultural issues. Each topic is covered in an accessible style, but with reference to the latest scholarship. Maps, photographs, and a table of basic political data enhance the text, which has made its place as the best available introduction to this diverse and complex continent.\u201d<\/p>\n