Africa - Beginner's Guides Author:Tom Young Vast, diverse, dynamic, and turbulent, the true nature of Africa is often obscured by its poverty-stricken image. In this controversial guide, Tom Young cuts through the emotional hype to critically analyse the continent's political history and the factors behind its dismal economic performance. Maintaining that colonial influences are often ove... more »rplayed, Young argues that much blame must lie with African governments themselves and that Western aid has often caused more harm than good.« less