The fifth supplement to Arthur E. Gropp's A Bibliography of Latin American Bibliographies (1968), covering bibliographies published 1985-89, and those published earlier but not noted in previous supplements. For the first time, includes Caribbean bibliographies. The 1,867 citations are unannotated. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The political and spiritual affinity felt by black peoples may date back centuries, but it was first formalized in Africa by a series of conferences at the beginning of the twentieth century. In the postwar struggle for independence, Africanness became a potent force. Later, in the early 1960s, the flood of newly independent African states adopted a Pan-African ideal in their common struggle against the remaining colonial and white-dominated territories on the continent. The launch of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 was an impressive achievement by any standards, and many commentators cited in this bibliography recognize this, adding that the OAU's survival for thirty years is even more astonishing. Overall, however, assessments of the OAU's activities have not been positive. Lack of unanimity among member-states has weakened the OAU's ability to deal with disputes. While critical of OAU's ineffectiveness, most writers marvel at the organization's resilience over three decades. While Central and Eastern Europe fragment, Africa is still represented by one organization, with annual meetings continuing to be held and attended by foreign ministers, prime ministers, and presidents. Chapters in this original and comprehensive bibliography include "Literature on the OAU," "General Assessments," "The OAU in African Politics," and "The OAU in World Politics." There are also extensive indexes of authors, titles, and subjects regarding the OAU. Organization of African Unity is a critical resource for political scientists, historians, and Africa area specialists seeking to understand a changing continent.

The modern British Commonwealth, linking fifty countries around the world in voluntary association, cooperation, and consultation, is a unique body in world history. The area of its member countries covers a third of the globe and collectively their peoples represent a quarter of the world's total population. Though essentially different from the British Empire from which it originated, the Commonwealth shares many common historical ties with Britain. Patricia M. Larby and Harry Hannam have assembled an unrivaled body of literature to illustrate the growth of the Empire into the Commonwealth. This extensive bibliography identifies, lists, and annotates the most important publications on the development and growth of the Commonwealth; its present status and functions; and its role in education, literature, sport, and the arts and sciences. It includes its historical origins: its cooperation in economics, politics, and international issues such as the environment; and its many spheres of professional activity including medicine, law, and architecture. Strong emphasis is placed on the role of the English language in the Commonwealth and as a medium for creative literature in many disparate cultures worldwide. The Commonwealth appears at a time when this unique organization is on the threshold of a new era in its history. The proposals emerging from the 1991 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting include statements on democracy and human rights; environmental affairs; and global concerns such as international crime, drug abuse, and AIDS. No previous comprehensive bibliography of the Commonwealth exists, and this volume fills a long-standing gap in the bibliographical coverage. It will be an essential reference source for libraries and scholars involved in Commonwealth studies and will be of particular interest to historians, political scientists, economists, and educators.

Philip Boucher analyzes the images—and the realities—of European relations with the people known as Island Caribs during the first three centuries after Columbus. Based on literary sources, travelers' observations, and missionary accounts, as well as on French and English colonial archives and administrative correspondence, Cannibal Encounters offers a vivid portrait of a troubled chapter in the history of European-Amerindian relations. -- Robert A. Myers, Alfred University

Comecon, or the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, was founded by Joseph Stalin in 1949 to counteract the Marshall Plan and reinforce the bonds between the Soviet Union and the "people's democracies" of Eastern Europe. Other Soviet Bloc nations later joined "Comecon, "and for forty years it dominated the trade policies of the Soviet Bloc and profoundly influenced their domestic economic development and relations with the West. "Comecon "collapsed in 1991 after the countries of Eastern Europe rejected communism. It was often compared with the (West European) Common Market, but differed vastly in its aims, structure, powers, and activities. Its influence is a critical factor in assessing both the economic failures of the Soviet Bloc and the problems facing former member states as they make the transition to free-market economies. This detailed, annotated bibliography is an essential guide to the extensive English-language literature about "Comecon "from its founding until its demise. Chapters cover "Comecon's "history, structure, and law; socialist economic integration; the organization's arrangements for international trade and finance; environment, natural resources, and energy; labor; industry and agriculture; science and technology. "Comecon, "like the rest of the Soviet Bloc, collapsed suddenly, but its legacy will color international relations and worldwide economic issues for years to come. An understanding of its institutions, mechanisms, and policies remains vital hi appreciating the economic organization of the former Soviet empire. This bibliography will therefore be indispensable to policymakers, economists, historians, and political scientists.