Top 10 books that teach us about southern Africa

Ian Holding is the author of Unfeeling, his debut novel set against the backdrop of a post-independent African country during the notorious farm attacks. In 2005 at the Guardian, he named a top 10 list of books that teach us something about southern Africa.

One title on the list:

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

"Mma Ramotswe had a detective agency in Africa ..." so begins Alexander McCall's tribute to the spirit of character which defines this engagingly ebullient and much loved African heroine, and in doing so gives us all a much needed tonic: hope.

Read about another book on the list.

Read about Alexander McCall Smith's five most important books.

--Marshal Zeringue