An intelligent short history of this vast and fascinating continent, with its diverse population, its tumultuous past, and its complicated present, is a timely choice for audio. But in this program, first written in 1962 and presented here with only minor revisions, the vibrant genius of a people is eclipsed by a recitation of economic, religious, and political developments in a manner more suited for academics. Its treatment of Africa s great Iron Age, its early Portuguese colonies, its seemingly endless torments of slavery, the growth of Islam, famine, and warfare have no anecdotal interest to recommend it to general listeners. Geoffrey Howard s fine narration supplies dignity and sparkle, but the prose remains dull and unengaging. With so few tapes on this subject available on audio, it is a pity that Blackstone has offered a dry, 35-year-old research tool that is more serviceable in print. Not recommended for general audiences.