This collection examines the role of space in six areas of West, Central and East Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries. The contributors demonstrate the active quality of space and ways people have constructed mental maps, used discourse to organize territories and perceived social landscapes. The introductory chapters by Howard (history, Rutgers U.) and Shain (history, Philadelphia U.) discuss different approaches and applications of spatial theory to African history. The subsequent essays illustrate the variety of those approaches and the possibility of different directions for future study. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)