If journalism is the first draft of history, the books under review here represent its second draft. Who can ponder Confucius's famous statement that 'the material prosperity of a country does not consist in material prosperity, but in righteousness' without thinking of Nigeria? Understanding the decline, if not quite yet fall, of Nigeria is one of the most important tasks facing Africanist scholars today. The great religiosity of Nigerians has become less a call to righteousness than a reason to murder followers of other religions.

Massive investments in industry have failed to industrialize the country the hope of post-Biafra, oil-boom Nigeria has given way to cynicism, corruption, and despair. Today Nigeria is better known for the 'scam spam' that clutters up Internet mailboxes around the world than for its great authors, musicians, and other creative people. The decline of Nigeria, although not as severe as the decline and even collapse of other states in Africa, has saddened all who love her and disheartened all who had hoped for great things from independent Africa. The country has played a leadership role in everything from the liberation of southern Africa to the formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, and the attempted stabilization of Liberia and other states in the region.

If these could be harnessed effectively, Nigeria could easily become one of the most influential countries in the world. Nigeria remains one of the most important and fascinating countries in Africa, with abundant human and material resources.

Achebe books