A challenging, in-depth survey of Africa's oldest nation, from prehistory through the 1990s. Organized chronologically, it features three chapters on the long reign of Haile Sellassie from his triumphant rise to power in 1930 until the "creeping revolution" of 1974 that finally toppled him. Unlike most of modern Africa, Marcus considers Ethiopia a coherent national unit based on its unique geography, economics, tradition and political culture.  (ETP01, $26.95)