These 13 essays arose from a conference on "African Environments: Past and Present," sponsored by the Journal of Southern African Studies , but includes discussion of southern, central, and eastern Africa. Presented by Beinart (race relations, U. of Oxford, UK) and McGregor (human geography, U. of Reading, UK) the historical essays are topically diverse within the broad topic of the social and cultural dimensions of African environmental history. Thematic sections explore African environmental ideas and practices; colonial science, state policy, and African responses; and settler culture and ideas about landscape and nature. Co-published with James Curry Publishers and David Philip. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)