As I prepare tomorrow’s lecture, I’m re-reading Nick van de Walle’s 2001 volume on twenty years of African crisis, reform, and Western aid. It’s still the most solid book written on aid, development and politics in the last ten years. Lately newer volumes have captured the public eye. None match van de Walle’s detail and nuance so far.

I’m also in the middle of two new books:

1. Africa’s World War by Gerard Prunier — a dense but enlightening history of the interminable Congo War

2. Wars, Guns and Votes by Paul Collier — the dangers of shallow democratization among the Bottom Billion

Look for reviews very soon…