Recommended. All levels/libraries.

Choice Reviews

This book is a 'must read' for scholars and students fascinated by African textiles as well as anyone who wants to learn more about West Africa. Cloth was and continues to be highly prized by West African peoples, and this study provides evidence that weaving, dyeing, and sewing pre-dated contact with Europeans. Kriger brings to her research a background mix of being trained both as an artist as well as a historian. I much admire her work.

Joanne B. Eicher, University of Minnesota; editor of Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion

This book will definitely satisy historians of technology; it offers a state-of-the-art view of what we know about the history of cloth in West Africa, always explained in outstanding technical detail... <Cloth in West African History sets a new very high standard for the study of textiles in Africa-or really for any part of the world....

Heather Marie Akou, Technology and Culture

By focusing on the appearance and production of three West African textiles, Kriger also clarifies connections between embellished cloth and politics, which vividly show how textiles articulate with general historical trends and events in the Niger basin area.

E.P. Renne, University of Michigan, Choice Reviews

This is an outstanding work that turns textile production into textile narratives, a seamless weaving together of the evidence on looms and dyeing to create a brilliant history of textiles as a beautiful garment of a book. Rich analyses embroider a compelling presentation that reveals the author's power to thread together the extensive region of the Lower Niger and the Guinea Coast. As textiles become words of wisdom, we learn about the garments of kings and priests, brides and bridegrooms, and what attire can teach us about Islam and morality, trade and ideas, history and culture.

Toyin Falola

This book will definitely satisy historians of technology; it offers a state-of-the-art view of what we know about the history of cloth in West Africa, always explained in outstanding technical detail... sets a new very high standard for the study of textiles in Africa-or really for any part of the world.

Heather Marie Akou, Technology and Culture