Since the heady and hopeful days of decolonisation, the story of Africa seems to be one of unrelenting disaster - revolution; brutal military dictatorship; ethnic conflict and even genocide; civil war; and, state-threatening corruption. This title paints a picture of solid political, social and economic progress in Africa. [Jonathan Lawley and John Hare have] an incredible tale to tell. Here is a pair of books that, placed with a decanter of whisky on the bedside table of any Spectator reader's guest bedroom, will have the reading-light burning late into the night.... Lawley has an optimistic story to tell here; but this reviewer loved best his tales, told more in the workaday prose of a Wilfred Thesiger than the poetry of a romantic.