Christian Lautherborn, in the words of editors Parpart (Dalhousie U., Canada) and Rostgaard (Aalborg U., Denmark), was "one of the many rather anonymous agents of imperial colonisation of
Africa in the late 1800's and early 1900's." His letters, written from the point of view of a "practical imperialist" bent on introducing modern agricultural methods and producing goods for a
profit, provide a first hand account of colonialism in Africa from a perspective different from that of the missionaries, adventurers, and colonial officers whose correspondences are found in
greater abundance. Prior to presenting the letters, Parpart and Rostgaard provide a biographical portrait of Lautherborn and describe the general historical context of German East Africa that
frame Lautherborn's writings. Annotation 穢2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
