The end of the beginning of African history.

This article explains that African history as a discipline is in crisis. Historians differ over its aims, methods and even over the simple meaning of the results which such disclipline has produced. But there must be grounds for hope despite the present poor prognosis for African history. It discusses the book "The Roots of Rural Poverty." This book can help historians see more clearly the simpler aspects of the crisis facing the discipline. Several other books and articles are mentioned that can clarify the state of African history as a discipline.