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SONS OF AFRICA
7

it rational to believe that Africans were as great an asset for the world as was Africa itself?

In search of an answer to that question the writer has spent a year of close work. Such study as occasion offered has been made of living African friends, both women and men. The writings of historians, travelers, administrators, scientists, traders, and missionaries have been drawn upon. Dusty old journals have been sought out on library shelves. Material throwing light on individual Africans and their qualities has been amassed. A steady effort has been made to arrive at truth. Where possible, information has been gathered from those who have known individual Africans well.

The individuals selected for study have ranged in time from the fifteenth century to today; in rank from kings and great potentates down to simple evangelists, school teachers and small tribal chiefs; in moral qualities from a warrior like Tshaka to Khama the Good. They have ranged from a great administrator like Sir Apolo Kagwa to Livingstone’s faithful servants; from a cultured and traveled educationalist like Dr. J. E. K. Aggrey to an intrepid evangelist who knows no English but who has built a living church; from women like the queen-mothers