An outstanding survey of Ethiopian political history and culture from pre-history to 1991 by a leading scholar who has lived in Ethiopia for 30 years. Opening with a chapter on prehistory (including the discovery of Lucy), the book moves briskly forward in time, including chapters on Ethiopia in the Bible, early kingdoms and dynasties, religious struggles, European interest and revolution. A volume in the "peoples of Africa" series by the textbook publisher Blackwell.  (ETP20, $40.95)