Amazon.com Review: Encarta Africana is an absorbing interactive exploration of the history of African culture. From early man's appearance 4 million years ago on the African continent to Sir Mix-A-Lot explaining the technology behind making a rap recording, this comprehensive CD-ROM tackles a massive amount of cultural history, fully utilizing its multimedia format to make the information educational, entertaining, and enlightening.
The program's introduction reflects the ambitious scope of Encarta Africana; the rich harmonies of Zulu choral music swell as a montage flashes across the screen: Nelson Mandela, art from 4000 B.C., and a raised fist are among the images. These pictures are superimposed over a patterned background that, upon closer inspection, is actually a diagram of a slave ship, jam-packed with human cargo.
The program itself is divided into nine sections: a library of black America; a history and music timeline; a civil rights chronology; a section entitled Africana on Camera, in which famous blacks discuss different issues; historic sites; an interactive map; a section called Africa to Americas that tracks how Africans were dispersed throughout the Americas; virtual tours; and Topic Treks, a feature that allows users to explore various topics in greater depth. Each of these sections (with the exception of the library) is vast, easy to explore, and filled with articles, photos, sounds, dates, and facts. Though the library doesn't serve up pictures or sounds, it does include the complete texts of 160 poems, essays, and novels about the experience of being of African descent in America.
Sound weaves itself throughout this multifaceted program. Progress along a historical timeline, and the soundtrack transitions from spirituals to ragtime to hip-hop as the people and achievements grow closer to present day. Visual vignettes are present throughout as well: the familiar forms of the pyramids, a small swatch of Asante kente cloth, a short film of Whoopi Goldberg discussing race. Encarta's developers adeptly exploit this medium, seamlessly blending sound, visuals, and written information to superbly capture the powerful story of African culture. --Anne Erickson
Essential It is beyond me why this important and completely beautiful package of interactive books, media, and video encompassing African accomplishment has been discontinued. I heard that Mr. Gates sold it, and not long after it was discontinued. It has become a rare item to find; as I have been looking for a copy for over a year to no end. It would seem that something with so much positive information about African acheivement throughout the world would be tremendously popular and a requirement for every home, most especially for people of African descent. There is of course a book companion, which is great, but the experience of this mutli-media software is priceless, with media and video that is especially good for children, especially in this age of computers and television. But it is also great for adults as well. This item really needs to be re-released and should be placed in schools for our youth. They need to know that our culture extends far beyond enslavement in America.
great resource My music instructor suggested this cd rom for intro to music, from my oppinion,I think it is the best thing any student can use while in school. Since then I used it for my art presentatin, and history. Also, I think that every one should have one of this in their library. I give this a five star rating.
sucks I am an Ameican African and this portrays AA folks in a bad light
A Must Have I attempted to locate this software at CompUSA & Best Buy. Unfortunately both failed to have this displayed for sell on their shelves. (Possibly discontinued?) However, I purchased it ... and use it daily in furthering my research on Black History. The Researcher function of the program helps to tie in resources found on the Internet as well. My daughter also has found it helpful in retrieving additional information for school projects.
A Must Have Certainly worth all of the pennies I paid for it and more!!!!
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