First published in 1977, The Tuareg: People Of Ahaggar by Jeremy Keenan is an even-handed and objective look at the culture of the Tuareg people of the central Sahara, who are perhaps most famous for a fierce defense of their homeland against French imperialism, a struggle which ultimately resulted in the expulsion of France from Algeria in 1962. Part history, part anthropology, The Tuareg: People Of Ahaggar is offers an historical analysis which is very highly recommended for Mideast Studies reference library collections.

No French army officer had ever spoken up in such detail on the subject of torture during the bloody 8-year conflict that led to Algeria's independence until this book was first published. General Paul Aussaresses decided to break the silence and reveal the bitter truth of the war on terrorism as the French army fought it in the late 1950s. While many, including Francois Mitterrand, who was the Interior, and later, Justice Minister [and future President of France], knew and approved of torture and summary executions in Algeria between 1954 and 1962, the extent of the French government's involvement and that of its official representatives on the spot in Algiers had never been revealed until now.

A cracking book hidden in a dull cover
I came across this book at my public library and was attracted by the cover with its picture of an oasis, a group of Tuareg and the inevitable camel! It is a very readable account of the conquest of the Sahara Desert by the French colonial army based in Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal. Full of fascinating detail, it brings to life the major players of the 1870 to 1914 period.