Published in 2013 by Lynne Rienner Publishers

Hardcover ISBN-13: 978-1-58826-862-4
Softcover ISBN-13: 978-1-58826-887-7

African Lives is a pan-African collection of autobiographical writings by Africans of various ethnic groups, from Ibn Battuta to Binyavanga Wainaina. The book is organized by geographical region.

The anthology presents selections from the work of many of Africa's finest writers and most significant personalities from across the continent and spanning several centuries. The introduction and biographical notes enhance the material by providing an important context for the selections and also highlight the challenges that African memoirs pose to the preconceptions of Western readers.

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“The stories range from bittersweet to violent, wistful to seductive, leaving a deep emotional impression.…This volume is full of memorable anecdotes and images right through the final entry.”
— Publishers Weekly

“The anthology is heavy with writers recalling their empowerment through writing. 'I had always told stories,' declared Laila Lalami, a Moroccan journalist and novelist, 'but now I wanted to be heard.' Wisner ensures that the continent's multi-hyphenated rainbow of nonfiction writing, old and new, at all edges of the continental compass, gets that chance.”
— Todd S. Burroughs, Ebony.com

“It is an amazing anthology ... African voices in splendid diversity as vast as the continent itself. Geoff Wisner has made a wonderful contribution to the emerging tradition.”
— World Literature Today

“This anthology will appeal to anyone who has an interest in African literature and history or who would like to understand them better through the perspective of true-life narrative.... Wisner's introduction is brief but thought provoking, raising questions regarding identity and the commodification of creativity. Recommended.”
— CHOICE, American Library Association

“African Lives thoughtfully identifies the voices and visions that have shaped a continent. By skillfully weaving these personal narratives into a coherent collection, Wisner has provided a compelling and accessible resource for understanding Africa's history makers.”
— Carl LeVan, American University

“For too long, others have spoken for Africans. Wisner's work represents an important contribution as it collects and expresses the voices of some of Africa's greatest literary and political lights. This work will be much appreciated by Africanists throughout the world.”
— Warigia Bowman, American University in Egypt

“With material from a large number of countries and attention to varied themes such as liberation, conflict, gender relations, and spirituality, the book represents a unique resource for courses. Most importantly, the first-person accounts will offer an avenue for students to build intimate connections with aspects of African culture and history addressed in classrooms, profoundly enriching their intellectual experience.”
— Peter VonDoepp, University of Vermont