"For most Americans, the mention of Africa immediately conjures up images of safaris, wild animals, strangely dressed "tribesmen," and impenetrable jungles. Few think to question these perceptions or ask how they came to be so deeply lodged in the collective American consciousness. Curtis Keim's Mistaking Africa: Curiosities and Inventions of the American Mind examines the evolution of such stereotypes and the role that popular media play in their perpetuation.

Keim addresses the most prevalent American misconceptions about Africa and demonstrates how these prevent an accurate understanding of the enormously diverse people and cultures of Africa. Mistaking Africa is not specifically about Africa, but about thinking about Africa."--BOOK JACKET.