I got a great question via email from a reader a couple of days ago, asking what books I’d recommend for a Christmas break reading list for someone wanting to educate him or herself on Africa. I ended up suggesting a couple of my personal faves, as well as one book currently on my “to read” pile, George Ayittey’s Africa Unchained.

The others I suggested as great first reads:

– Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”

– Adam Hochschild’s “King Leopold’s Ghost”

– Any number of Ryszard Kapuscinski’s books, including The Shadow of the Sun and The Soccer War.

It occurred to me, after sending off this brief list, that I’d be much better off with a list suggested by my readers. So, if you’ve got a moment, think about what three books you’d recommend to someone who doesn’t know very much about African culture, politics or history… and share that advice on the comments. If we get some good feedback, I’ll post a compiled list of suggestions… and it may help shape my holiday giftgiving as well. (And yes, I’m still shopping. A trip that extends until December 20 will do that to a guy…)

Thanks for the idea, Kevin – point me to your blog, will you?