Book excerpt: Adejumobi (history, Seattle U.) describes the history of Ethiopia for students and lay readers, devoting a large section to contemporary issues. The book includes an introductory overview of the country's geography, political institutions, economic structure, and culture. It explores shifting global and local power configurations from the late nineteenth century to the twentieth and related implications in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa region, in addition to how the country sustained resources while involved with international, regional, and local politics. The country's independence, and social, political, and economic reforms are also discussed. Biographical sketches of important individuals are included.