Selected Print Reference Resources

Print reference resources are located on the first floor of Alden Library in the Center for International Collections (CIC) Reference stacks. Other print reference resources with some African content may be found at the general Reference stacks on the 2nd Floor of Alden Library. Reference titles include guides to the literature, bibliographies, indexes and abstracts, encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks and country information.

Guides, Indexes, Bibliographies and Abstracts

Mcllwaine, John. Africa: A Guide to Reference Material, 2nd rev. and expanded ed. Lochcarron, Scotland: Hans Zell Publishing, 2007.

Lists and annotates reference materials on Africa including encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, handbooks, atlases and gazetteers, almanacs, yearbooks, directories of organization and biographical and statistical sources. CIC Ref Z3501.M3 2007

Africa Bibliography. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 1984-

An index of periodical articles, monographs and chapters in edited volumes, mostly in the humanities and arts and social and environmental sciences. CIC Ref Z3503 A34

Zell, Hans M. ed. The African Studies Companion: A Guide to Information Sources, 4th rev. and expanded ed. Lochcarron, Scotland: Hans Zell Publishing, 2006.

Lists and annotates a wide range of sources of information in the African studies field covering both print and electronic sources including online resources, the major general reference tools in print format, current bibliographies and indexing services, biographical, cartographic, statistical and economic resources, as well as film and video resources. DT 19.8.Z45 2006. Also available online.

Current Bibliography on African Affairs. Farmingdale, N.Y. Baywood Pub. Co. 1962-

Provides listings of books and periodical articles by subject, region and country. Each issue features bibliographic essays on topics such as "Women in Africa", the "Organization of African Unity" or "mass communication". CIC REF Z3503 .C8

Russell, Sharon A., Guide to African Cinema. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1998.

Provides information on selected films and filmmakers relating to Africa. CIC Ref PN1993.5.A35 R87 1998

Guide to Higher Education in Africa, 3rd ed. New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2004.

Provides detailed information on higher education institutions in Africa together with descriptions of education systems in each country. CIC Ref L 970.G85 2004

International African Bibliography (Quarterly, 1971-)

Lists books, articles, papers and chapters in African studies publications mostly in the humanities and social sciences. Also includes some scientific articles relating to natural resources and the environment. CIC REF Z3501 .I54x

Kagan, Alfred, ed. Reference Guide to Africa: A Bibliography of Sources, 2nd ed. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2005.

Lists and annotates important African studies resources mostly in the humanities and social sciences. CIC Ref Z3501.K15 2005

Dictionaries, Handbooks, Encyclopedias and Yearbooks

Appiah, Kwame Anthony and Gates, Henry L. eds. Africana: the Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. 2nd rev. and expanded ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.

An excellent reference resource on Africa containing 4,500 entries on Africa and the diaspora contributed by over 200 Africans, British and African American scholars. CIC Ref DT14 .A37435 2005

Brockman, Norbert. An African Biographical Dictionary. 2nd ed. Millerton, NY: Grey House publishing Inc. 2006.

Provides biographical sketches of prominent Africans and foreigners including politicians, scientists, religious figures, entertainers, writers and sports figures who have affected the continent’s history. CIC Ref DT18 .B76 2006x

Shillington, Kevin. Encyclopedia of African History. NewYork : Fitzroy Dearborn, 2005.

Consists of 1,100 entries covering a wide range of topics in African history from the earliest times to the present, topics include social economic, linguistic, anthropological and political issues. CIC Ref DT20 .E53 2005. Also available online.

Mays, Terry M. and DeLancey, Mark W. Historical Dictionary of International Organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa. 2nd ed. Lanham, MD.: Scarecrow Press, 2002.

A research guide to all types of international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in sub-Saharan Africa, information provided include descriptions of their activities and profiles of people who have contributed to the history of these organizations. CIC Ref JZ4850 .M39 2002

Historical Dictionary of ... (specific country) Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press

Contains entries on both historical and contemporary information about each country, economic and social aspects, ethnic groups and geography. Also included are information on important events, institutions and biographical entries of past and present leaders, educators, business, religious and labor leaders. CIC REF DT 381...

Sheldon, Katherine. Historical Dictionary of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2005.

Entries cover prominent African female politicians, activists, writers, artists, and historical and religious figures. It also covers historical and contemporary women’s organizations and general topical entries such as nationalism, structural adjustment programs and sharia law emphasizing women’s participation and how these processes has affected them. CIC Ref HQ1787 .S44 2005

Colins, Robert O. Historical Dictionary of Pre-Colonial Africa. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2001.

Consists of about 2000 entries covering people, languages, ethnic groups, places and events in pre-colonial Africa from 500 BC through to the period just before European colonization in the 19th century. Includes and introductory essay and a chronology of the rise and fall of the dynasties that ruled. CIC Ref DT17 .C65 2001

New Encyclopedia of Africa / John Middleton, ed. Detroit: Thompson Gale, 2008.

Contains about 1,200 articles covering the entire continent, addressing the entire history of African cultures including the Eyptian pharaohs, the ancient civilizations of the south, colonial era and the emergence of 53 independent countries. CIC Ref DT2 .N48 2008 Also available online.

A Political Chronology of Africa. London, Europa Publications, 2001.

Covers recent political events in African countries including political upheavals. CIC Ref DT17 .P65 2001x

Political Handbook of Africa. Washington, DC. CQ Press, 2007.

Provides political profiles of African nations including information on population, official language, political and economic trends, results of recent elections and maps of key cities and major waterways. CIC Ref JQ1875 .P63 2007

Atlases and Country Information

African Adventure Atlas. Evergreen, CO: National Geographic, 2003.

Contains country maps, town plans, national parks and other adventure activities, showing roads, ruins, museums, post offices and hotels. CIC Ref G2446.E635 F73 2003x

Murray, Jocelyn. Cultural Atlas of Africa, 2nd rev. ed. 1998. New York: Facts on File.

This reference survey of Africa, depicts the culture, geography and history of the continent. G2446.E1 C8 1998

Country Studies/Area Handbook series (Specific country). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress.

 

Ajayi, J.F. Ade, and Crowder, Michael, eds. Historical atlas of Africa. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1985.

The atlas with maps and essays covers the history of the African continent, from the origins of humans to the present. Alden 2nd Fl Ref Oversize G2446.E1 C8 1998