Vansina (history and anthropology, U. of Wisconsin-Madison, emeritus) takes on a relatively neglected field of study in this political and agrarian history of West Central Africa. His study begins with late-stone-age foragers, follows the dissemination of the Njila language, and records the development of political and social institutions throughout the area. The appendix describes the Njila group of languages. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)