Peter Karibe Mendy is now the lead author, having already
participated in earlier editions as well, and he is an excellent
choice. Of Bissau-Guinean origins, he knows the country and the
main languages, and was the director of the leading social science
research institute there. He is presently professor of history and
African studies at Rhode Island College.
Richard A. Lobban, Jr., who is professor emeritus of anthropology
and director of the Program of African and Afro-American Studies at
Rhode Island College, authored or co-authored the previous
editions. He already visited the liberated zones of Guinea-Bissau
back in 1973, and has returned since, all the while closely
following events in a country he has written and lectured on
extensively.
This volume is another updated edition in the African Historical
Dictionaries series. Like other entries in the series, the
dictionary proper is preceded by a historical chronology, a list of
acronyms and abbreviations, and a general introduction, and in this
case is followed by several appendixes, including a list of
Portuguese governors, lists of heads of state and prime ministers,
several reprints of primary documents, and a modicum of cultural
information. A few maps of varying quality are scattered
throughout. The bibliography is substantial. . . .Overall, this
volume does a good job of relating the long and oftentimes
difficult history of this African country that includes a
collapsing infrastructure, a dilapidated economy, and military
coups d'etat.
*American Reference Books Annual*
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