A collection of intelligent, wide-ranging essays on Africa by the veteran author and war correspondent. He addresses important themes with insight, including the devastating impact of AIDS and recent political disasters in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Rwanda. He's a wonderful, personal writer -- and the essays have the drama, shape and emotion of good fiction. In his three decades of reporting, the Polish journalist has also published memorable books on Haile Selassie (ETP10) and the Shah of Iran (IRN11).  (AFR88, $16.00)