"Full-color portraits illustrate the stories of ten people-rulers, educators, inventors, scholars, and explorers-who helped shape the African continent and the world from ancient times through the tumultuous sixteenth century"--Provided by publisher.

Introduction: When Africa Fueled the World -- The Sahara Yawns: Menes: Creator of Dynasties -- Merneith: A Queen Erased -- The Dawn of Egypt: Imhotep: From Peasant to God -- Metal Bonds -- Nature as Character: Aesop: The Wisest Man in the Ancient World -- Across the Waves: Hannibal Barca: Unparalleled Military Strategist -- Terence: North African Playwright -- Amanirenas: Warrior, Diplomat, Queen -- Where Few Dared to Tread: Tin Hinan: Founding a City on the Dunes -- Across the Golden Sand: Mansa Musa: The Richest Man of All Time -- The Catalan Atlas --The Power of the Griot -- Libraries in the Sand -- The Winds Change: Queen Idia: Kingmaker -- Culture Lost -- Author's note -- Source notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- Designer's Note.