Africa has a rich and splendid heritage, filled with heroic figures. Spanning seven centuries, this book tells of five such leaders of varied backgrounds and talents and their achievements. 

Centuries before the discovery of America, the mighty African Empire of Mali flourished, and ruling it at the height of its glory was the fabulous Emperor Mansa Musa, invincible conqueror and devout Moslem. His epoch-making pilgrimage to Mecca, was both an eloquent expression of piety and a display of wealth and power that dazzled all of Islam. The beautiful and brave Queen Nzinga, one of history's first and finest freedom fighters, forged an alliance of chieftans to battle the invading Portuguese colonists to a standstill in Angola. Another road-that of peace-was taken by Samuel Ajayi Crowther. Rescued by the English from the hold of a slave ship, he rose to become the first African bishop and dedicated his life to serving his native Nigeria. Today's oppressed black population in South Africa can look back with pride to Moshoeshoe, who a century ago resisted the Boer settlers and carved out the nation of Lesotho for his people. In today's Kenya, Tom Mboya, stubborn battler for independence, pioneering labor leader, eminent national politician and African statesman, is well on his way to joining the ranks of African's immortals. 

In today's shrinking and interconnected world, the West can no longer ignore Africa's past. The stories of these five leaders shed light on their times and the diversity of sub-Saharan Africa's unique and rich history. 

From the dust jacket