This essay seeks to compare and contrast the approaches taken by Keith B. Richburg and Karl Maier in discussing Africa.The title is "Woes of Africa"

Over the past years, many writers have made bold attempts to address issues confronting Africa. The views expressed by these writers in their books are influenced by the major happenings on the continent within the time period the book is to be written. But one thing that leaves much to be desired about the approaches taken by some of these authors is the generalizations they make about the whole African continent, using the woes of …

…the land of his ancestors rather instilled hostility and fear towards his own people. Richburg says, "I've looked in my crystal ball and tried to see silvers of light. I've really tried. But all I can see is more darkness" (238). Maier, on the other hand says he is beginning to see a "new generation of Africans armed with the values and drive of their forefathers, who are ready to tackle the challenges" (258) of the future.