As a graduate student in History I have long realized that I may someday land a job far from civilization as I have hitherto known it, in a land where good libraries are scarce and significant collections in my fields are weak or non-existent. Therefore, over the years I have devoted much of my graduate student stipends and large portions of my research grants to building a personal book and journals collection that—even in the absence of a decently-funded library—will permit my continued engagement with an active research agenda, as well as accommodate and facilitate a broad range of possible teaching assignments, no matter where I end up or what I am assigned to instruct.

In this venture I have heavily patronized Powell’s Books of Chicago, McBlain Books of Connecticut, smaller used book stores all over the world, and discounted book displays at conferences. In recent years Internet searches have proven to be a fabulous source for difficult-to-find monographs.

The jewel of my collection is several hundred volumes focusing on the Horn of Africa and neighboring countries. Written in Amharic, Arabic, English, French, Italian and Swahili, these volumes cover or relate to history, anthropology, law, sociology, political science, religious studies, economics and local humor.

My Horn collection includes near-complete runs of several specialized journals (Annales d’Éthiopie, Journal of Ethiopian Studies, Northeast African Studies, Journal of Ethiopian Law); locally-published pamphlets and magazines; specially significant publications like the 1932 National Geographic Magazine covering Haile Sellassie’s coronation as emperor; and rare video footage from the 1920s onwards, including the Emperor’s 1963 appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and his 1966 official visit to Jamaica.

Focusing on the books, I have amassed a significant collection of the available secondary and tertiary texts. I have also purchased as many original and reprinted primary source materials as possible. My international and departmental conference proceedings volumes span a thirty-year period. Owing to the nature of my research, I have acquired some excellent specialized texts on the law and legal topics in the Horn. Furthermore, because I work in and with myriad languages, I have collected grammars, phrase books and dictionaries for numerous major and minor Horn languages.

Particularly important for my dissertation and future research is my section of Amharic language primary sources on Emperor Haile Sellassie and modern Ethiopian history. These include first-edition hard-covers (one with the dust jacket) of the Emperor’s two-volume autobiography, and first edition copies of all seven volumes of his collected public speeches. Relevant here is also Mahtämä Sellassé Wäldä Mäsqäl’s Zekrä Nägär, a 1000 page compilation, out of print since the 1960s, of crucially important primary sources on Ethiopia’s ruling court from the 1890s to the 1950s.

Since I built this collection for purposes of research and teaching, I have made arrangements that, if something happens to me, my entire history and African Studies library is to be donated to the History Department Library at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, where it may continue to be employed as intended.

In my personal library, of which approximately 2000 books are on African History and African Studies, my collection on Africa’s Horn countries comprises the most extensive, specialized section (about a quarter to a third of the total). It is that section that I am entering in the Fourth Annual MSU Student Book Collection Competition. Because I am writing my dissertation on Ethiopian History, here I list some of my titles on that country only, selected either because of their importance or rarity. I omit all direct entries on Eritrea, Jibuti, Kenya, Somaliland, Somalia, and Sudan, as well as many recent books and smaller monographs on Ethiopia itself.

Abir, Mordechai, Ethiopia: the Era of the Princes, the Challenge of Islam and the Re-unification of the Christian Empire, 1769-1855, Praeger: 1970 (HC, dust jacket).

30 years after publication, this book remains the most important treatise on an understudied and destructive period of Ethiopian history.

Afawarq Gabra Iyasus, Dagmawi Menilek: Negusä Nägäst zäItyop’ya (Menilek II: Emperor of Ethiopia), Rome: 1901.

A small (113pp.) paperback written in Amharic that is now dated and difficult to read, this text was written by an Italophile Ethiopian scholar and is a classic source both for factual events and marginal attitudes about the emperor.

Alvares, Father Francisco, The Prester John of the Indies: a True Relation of the Lands of the Prester John, being the narrative of the Portuguese Embassy to Ethiopia in 1520, trans. Lord Stanley of Alderley, revised and ed. C. F. Beckingham and G. W. B. Huntingford, Kraus Reprint: 1975 (HC).

An unquestioned classic, this book is easily one of the most important sources for Ethiopian history, culture, economy and politics in the 16th century.

The Amharic Letters of Emperor Theodore of Ethiopia to Queen Victoria and her Special Envoy, ed. Girma-Selassie Asfaw, David L. Appleyard, Edward Ullendorff, Oxford: 1979.

A compilation of primary sources, with translations and annotations, this book is extremely useful for reconstructing Ethiopia’s internal politics and foreign relations during the reign of Emperor Tewodros (1855-68).

Arab Faqih, Wärég Zäman: Futuh al-Habäsh, trans. Abdulkarim Ahmad Yusuf, Commercial Publishers: 1995.

This volume is a translation from Arabic to Haräri of some of Arab Faqih’s classic first-hand account of the 16th century Muslim-Christian conflicts in Ethiopia.

Armbruster, C. H., Initia Amharica: an Introduction to Spoken Amharic, Cambridge: 1908 (HC).

The first English-language grammar of Amharic, this book remains useful for archaic terms and grammatical features.

Asafa Jalata, Oromia & Ethiopia: State Formation and Ethnonational Conflict, 1868-1992, Lynne Rienner: 1993 (HC).

A leading text in the nascent field of Oromo Studies, the author (a sociologist) tries to rewrite Ethiopian history portraying the central government as a colonizer of fellow Africans.

Bahru Zewde, A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855-1974, James Currey: 1991.

This book is denser than other general history texts on Ethiopia, but is an excellent critical analysis of the modern period.

-----, YäItyop’ya Tarik, kä1848 eskä 1966, Addis Ababa University, 1996.

An Amharic translation of previous entry, but expanded with additional material and appendices.

Bairu Tafla, Ethiopia and Austria: a History of their Relations, Harrassowitz Verlag: 1994 (HC).

An exhaustive account of diplomatic, economic and personal relations between Austria and Ethiopia.

Balay Geday, Gänzäb Bankenna Mädhan bäItyop’ya (Money, Banking and Currency in Ethiopia), Berhanenna Selam: 1983.

An analytical history of certain economic institutions in Ethiopia.

-----, Ityop’ya Hagärénna Tezetayé (Ethiopia My Country, and My Reminiscences), Commercial Publishers: 1990.

This valuable autobiography is most useful for the Italian invasion and resistance (1935-41) and for the post-WWII functioning of Haile Sellassie’s government.

Balsvik, Randi Ronning, Haile Sellassie’s Students: the Intellectual and Social Background to Revolution, 1952-1977, MSU: 1985.

The only serious study of the Ethiopian student movement that radicalized Ethiopian politics and helped to pave the way for the 1974 revolution.

Berhanou Abebe, Histoire de l’Éthiopie: d’Axoum à la revolution, Maisonneuve et Larose: 1998.

Covering about 1500 years, this is the first major synthesis in French of Ethiopian history. The events are covered elsewhere, but the author’s comments on existing scholarship are useful.

Biography of an Idea—Story of a Vision Achieved: the Eighty-First Anniversary of the Birth of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, Ministry of Information: 1973.

A relatively short (75pp) booklet whose text summarizes selected main points of the emperor’s life. It is basically well-done propaganda, but it chock-full of excellent (and excellent quality) photographs from the 1890s to the 1970s.

Bureau, Jacques, Le Verdict du Serpent: Mythes, Contes et Recits des Gamo d’Ethiopie, Maison des Etudes Ethiopiennes: 1994.

An ethnographic text of oral traditions among the Gamo in southwestern Ethiopia. Provides a good model for scholars working in other regions to follow.

Cohen, John M. and Peter H. Koehn, Ethiopian Provincial and Municipal Government, MSU: 1980.

Seldom cited anymore, this text is one of the few that seeks to document the functioning (as opposed to structures) of Ethiopian administration.

Consolidated Laws of Ethiopia, Artistic Publishers: 1972 (Volumes 1 and 2; both HC), Commercial Publishers: 1975 (Supplement; HC).

These volumes comprise the only systematic presentation of Ethiopians laws, in force in 1969. Publication of the third one (the “Supplement” volume) after the 1974 Revolution seems to have been facilitated by a clever Forward by the project director, who argued that a fundamental restructuring of society along socialist lines could only take place by fully understanding the history and totality of the previous legal system.

Darkwah, R. H. Kofi, Shewa, Menilek and the Ethiopian Empire, Heinemann: 1975 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

An early biography of Emperor Menilek that complements Marcus’ biography (see below).

Darley, Major Henry, Slaves and Ivory in Abyssinia: a Record of Adventure and Exploration Among the Ethiopian Slave-Raiders, Robert M. McBride & Co.: 1935 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

A highly ideological primary source most useful for information on the slave trade in Ethiopia and the political situation in the southern and southwestern regions.

The Dictionary of Ethiopian Biography, Volume I, From Early Times to the End of the Zagwé Dynasty c. 1270 A.D., ed. Belaynesh Michael, S. Chojnacki, Richard Pankhurst, Institute of Ethiopian Studies: 1975 (HC).

An excellent reference text for the period covered. Unfortunately, the larger project of which this was the first volume, was abandoned and no follow up volumes have appeared.

Donham, Donald, History, Power, Ideology: Central Issues in Marxism and Anthropology, California: 1999.

Ethiopian Studies is a largely (self-?) isolated field. This book is one of the few that draws on Ethiopia material to engage in broader theoretical debates. Excellent stuff.

-----, Marxist Modern: An Ethnographic History of the Ethiopian Revolution, California/James Currey: 1999.

This important book engages ideas about modernity, tradition and narrative to trace the course of the Ethiopian revolution and its reception and meanings in a small, “traditional” polity of southern Ethiopia. Like the previous entry, it is one of the few Ethiopianist works that engages directly with broader debates and theories in the social sciences.

Doresse, Jean, Histoire Sommaire de la Corne Orientale de l’Afrique, Paul Guethner: 1971 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

This book takes Ethiopia and Somalia as an integrated unit and traces its history from ancient times to the 20th century. It is now dated, but still occasionally useful.

Emmanuel Abraham, Reminiscences of My Life, Lunde Forlag: 1995 (HC, dust jacket).

Written by a Protestant Ethiopian who served for many years in Emperor Haile Sellassie’s government, this account of the author’s life and service is critical of past government mistakes and provides excellent first-hand testimony on many diplomatic missions and government decisions about international affairs.

Erlich, Haggai, Ethiopia and the Middle East, Lynne Rienner: 1994 (HC).

This book traces 1500 years of Islamic discourse about Ethiopia. It is an excellent text on several different levels, and of use both to Ethiopianists and Islamicists/Middle Eastern Studies scholars.

Fanouris, Mellina and Lukas, Meskel: an Ethiopian Family Saga, 1926-1981, Jacaranda Designs: 1995 (autographed).

A family history of Greek immigrants to Ethiopia. Traces the politico-economic history of the country and how it affected Greek immigrants and others. An excellent read.

Farago, Ladislas, Abyssinia on the Eve, Putnam: 1935 (HC).

A sensationalized travelogue, but useful for some aspects of Ethiopian life in the early 1930s.

Gabra Heywat Baykadaññ, Mängestenna yäHezb Astädadär, Commercial Publishers: 1953.

A classic text in the intellectual history of Ethiopia, it was written in the 1910s but not published until years later. Highly critical of some government policies at the time, it drew on Western economic theory to propose future political and economic policies for Ethiopia.

Gädlä Giyorgis: bäGe’ezenna bäAmareñña (Hagiography of [Saint] George: in Ge’ez and Amharic), Täsfa Gäbrä Sellassé Publishers: 1991 (HC).

Most of the hagiographies of Ethiopia’s (Coptic) Christian saints are written in the ancient liturgical languages Ge’ez, which makes them inaccessible to most Ethiopians. This translation of Saint George’s hagiography into the national language Amharic was designed to make it accessible to a far broader audience of readers.

Gädlä Täklä Haymanot: bäGe’ezenna bäAmareñña (Hagiography of [Saint] Täkla Haymanot: in Ge’ez and Amharic, Täsfa Gäbrä Sellassé Publishers: 1991 (HC).

Same as previous entry, but for a different saint.

Gebru Tareke, Ethiopia: Power and Protest, Peasant Revolts in the Twentieth Century, Cambridge: 1991 (HC, dust jacket).

An important text on three revolts in different parts of Ethiopia during the 1940s-1960s. Framed around Marxist theoretical concerns, the text fails to link the empirical material to the theoretical in a satisfying way.

Gobaze Tafata, Aba T’éna Iyasu, Maison des Etudes Ethiopiennes: 1996.

An Amharic biography of Lij Iyasu, who was never formally declared emperor but ruled the country for a few years between Emperor Menilek and Empress Zawditu. Since subsequent governments managed to pollute the historical record by smearing Iyasu’s name, this book is a particularly welcome addition to the literature.

Gragg, Gene B., Oromo Dictionary, MSU: 1982.

This is the easiest Oromo dictionary for non-Oromoists to use.

Gutt, Eeva H. M., and Hussein Mohammed, Silt’e-Amharic-English Dictionary (with Concise Grammar by Ernst-August Gutt), Addis Ababa University: 1997 (HC).

A nice dictionary of a little studied language, Silt’e, which is closely related to Haräri, one of my research languages.

Haile Sellassie I, Feré käNafer zä Qädamawi Haylä Sellassé Negusä Nägäst zäItyop’ya (Leading Speeches of Haile Sellassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia), Berhanenna Selam: Seven Volumes, 1951, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971 (first editions).

These volumes, totaling more than 4000 pages, contain official copies of thousands of public speeches delivered around the world by Emperor Haile Sellassie from 1927 to 1963. The first volume is especially useful (it was probably less “doctored” than later ones may have been), but all are indispensable sources for 20th century Ethiopian history.

-----, Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie First, 1918 to 1967, Imperial Ethiopian Ministry of Information: 1967 (HC, first edition).

A nice selection and translation of some of the emperor’s speeches on education, international relations and politics, diplomacy, inter-African relations, history, the United Nations, the law, agriculture, industry, health, security, etc.

-----, Heywäté-enna yäItyop’ya Ermejja: Qädamawi Haylä Sellassé Negusä Nägäst zäItyop’ya (1ñña Mäs’haf), Berhanenna Selam: 1971 (HC, first edition).

Amharic language copy of the first volume of Emperor Haile Sellassie’s autobiography, an important historical text for Ethiopian history during 1892 to 1937.

-----, My Life and Ethiopia’s Progress’: 1892-1937 (Volume I), translated and annotated by Edward Ullendorff, Research Associates School, 1997 (HC, dust jacket).

Translation and useful annotation of previous entry.

-----, Heywäté-enna yäItyop’ya Ermejja: Qädamawi Haylä Sellassé Negusä Nägäst zäItyop’ya (2ñña Mäs’haf), Berhanenna Selam: 1973 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

Amharic language copy of the second volume of Emperor Haile Sellassie’s autobiography, an important historical text for Ethiopian history during 1937 to 1941/2.

-----, My Life and Ethiopia’s Progress: Haile Sellassie I, King of Kings of Ethiopia (Volume Two), edited and annotated by Harold Marcus et. al, translated by Ezekiel Gebissa et. al., MSU: 1994 (HC).

Translation and useful annotation of previous entry.

Hamer, John H., Humane Development: Participation and Change among the Sadáma of Ethiopia, Alabama: 1987 (HC, dust jacket).

This anthropological account traces the history of production among a little studied people in Ethiopia, linking local changes to wider historical processes.

Hansberry, William Leo, Pillars in Ethiopian History: the William Leo Hansberry African History Notebooks, Joseph E. Harris, ed., Howard University: 1981.

Hansberry is considered by many to be the father of the study of African history. This little books consists of four of his lectures (a half century old) on Ethiopian history that develop themes that continue to be important in the field.

Harris, Joseph E., African-American Reactions to War in Ethiopia, 1936-1941, Louisiana State University: 1994 (HC, dust jacket).

The importance of Ethiopia to blacks around Africa and outside the continent is well known. This book investigates one example of how crisis in Ethiopia inspired blacks elsewhere to help in anyway they could.

Hoben, Allan, Land Tenure among the Amhara of Ethiopia: the Dynamics of Cognatic Descent, Chicago: 1973 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

This book remains one of the classics in studies of Ethiopian land tenure. That is significant because the land question has long occupied the government and the people in the country.

Huntingford, G. W. B., The Galla of Ethiopia: the Kingdoms of Kafa and Janjero, International African Institute: 1955.

-----, trans. and notes, The Land Charters of Northern Ethiopia, Haile Sellassie I University/Oxford: 1965 (HC, first edition).

A useful compilation of source materials on a subject that has long been and continues to be centrally important to Ethiopian studies.

Idrís, Muhammad Jalál, Yahúd al-Faláshá: Asúlahum wa Ma’taqadátahum wa ‘Aláqátahum bi-Isrá’il, Madbuli: 1993.

This Arabic text traces the history of the “Falasha” (Ethiopian Jews) and how they came to and were received in Israel.

Kane, Thomas Leiper, Amharic-English Dictionary, Otto Harrassowitz: 1990 (HC, two volumes).

These beautiful volumes comprise the best Amharic-English dictionary ever published.

Lap’eso G. Delébo, YäItyop’ya yäGäbar Ser’atenna Jemr Kapitalizm (Ethiopia’s Feudal System and Nascent Capitalism), 1900-1966, Commercial Publishers: 1983.

Inspired by the dominant ideological currents during the revolution, this book situates 20th century Ethiopian history in a Marxist framework. The author, politically fluid, has recently reemerged as a very popular historian among Ethiopia’s smaller ethnic groups.

-----, YäItyop’ya Räjzem yäHezbenna yäMängest Tarik, Vol. 1, Commercial Publishers: 1992.

Letters from Ethiopian Rulers (Early and Mid-Nineteenth Century), trans. David L. Appleyard and A. K. Irvine, annotated by Richard K. P. Pankhurst, Appendix by Bairu Tafla, Oxford: 1985 (HC, dust jacket).

Like The Amharic Letters of Emperor Theodore of Ethiopia to Queen Victoria and her Special Envoy (see above), this is a compilation of primary sources, with translations and annotations, this book is extremely useful for reconstructing Ethiopia’s internal politics and foreign relations. However, it is broader than the former, including letters written by regional rulers as well as emperors, and it covers a longer period of time.

Leus, Ton, et. al, An Oromo-English Vocabulary, Fathers Van de Loo: 1992.

Levine, Donald N., Greater Ethiopia: the Evolution of a Multiethnic Society, Chicago: 1974 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

Though dated, this text remains centrally important to many of the debates in the literature and in ordinary society about what actually comprises the Ethiopian state. As would be expected after 20 years, there are serious problems with the argument. However, there is still enough there that is worth engaging seriously with.

-----, Wax & Gold: Tradition and Innovation in Ethiopian Culture, Chicago: 1970 (HC).

Lewis, Herbert S., A Galla Monarchy: Jimma Abba Jifar, Ethiopia, 1830-1932, Wisconsin: 1965 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

Still the best text for the history of southwest Ethiopia during this period.

Mahtämä Sellassé Wäldä Mäsqäl, Zekrä Nägär (Things Remembered), Artistic Publishers: 1962.

A massive compilation of primary sources on government and governance (letters, proclamations, appointments, laws, etc.) spanning the period from the late 1800s to the 1950s. An indispensable text for modern Ethiopian history.

Marcus, Harold. A History of Ethiopia, California: 1994 (HC, dust jacket).

The most readable of the few overviews of Ethiopian history from ancient times to the early 1990s.

-----, Haile Sellassie I: The Formative years, 1892-1936, Red Sea: 1995.

The best biography of Haile Sellassie and an excellent politico-economic history of Ethiopia in the early 20th century. Unfortunately it only takes the story up to 1936, while the emperor was not deposed until 1974.

-----, TheLife and Times of Menelik II: Ethiopia, 1844-1913, Red Sea: 1995.

Same as previous entry, though for a different emperor and time period.

-----, ed., New Trends in Ethiopian Studies: Papers of the 12th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, (two volumes), Red Sea: 1994.

Marigita Lesana Warq Gabra Giyorgis, T’ntawi Ser’atä Mahlét zäAbunä Yaréd Liq (Ancient Hymns of Abunä Yaréd Liq), Maison des Etudes Ethiopiennes, 1997 (HC).

This collection of hymns is particularly important because Abunä Yaréd Liq is considered to be the founder of Ethiopia’s Orthodox Church music, as well as Ethiopian music in general.

Markakis, John, Ethiopia: Anatomy of a Traditional Polity, Oxford 1975.

A classic text on the structures of the Ethiopian state. A quarter of a century after publication, its insights remain salient.

YäMarksizm Léninizm Mäzgäbä Qalat (Marxism-Leninism Dictionary), Kuraz: 1985 (HC).

A dictionary of “revolutionary” terms produced by the former military regime.

Mogäs Uqubä Giyorgis, Amareñña bäAmareñña Mäzgäbä Qalat (Amharic-Amharic Dictionary), Mahbärä Hawaryat Feré Yahmanot Kokäbä Tsebah Publishers: 1967.

An Amharic-Amharic dictionary. Though small, it is useful because it contains entries that other dictionaries do not.

Mosley, Leonard, Haile Selassie: the Conquering Lion, Prentice-Hall: 1965 (HC, dust jacket).

Overwritten at times, this book is a classic biography of the Emperor.

Muhammad Ibrahim Sulayman, Qät’äbti Muday (Valuable Collection), Artistic Printers: 1997.

An excellent collection of Haräri language materials on history, culture, literature and religion. Most of the materials are unavailable in print elsewhere. Others represent variant and perhaps more “authentic” versions of some texts previously published by European scholars.

Muhammad Mahar Hammarah, Al-Watháiq al-Siasiah wa al-Adariah lil-‘asra al-Maluki 656/922-1258/1516: Darasah wa nasus, 1980.

This Arabic collection contains primary documents from Mamluk lands, several of which are letters to or from Ethiopian Emperors and thus relevant to medieval Ethiopian foreign relations.

Page, Mel, et. al, eds., Personality and Political Culture in Modern Africa: Studies presented to Professor Harold G. Marcus, Boston University, 1997.

A collection of essays in the festschrift form. The bulk of the contributions focus on Ethiopia.

Pankhurst, Richard, An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia, from easly times to 1800, Lalibela House: 1961 (HC, first edition).

A handy book distilled from an earlier, massive volume. Organized thematically, it presents easy to read narratives and, like so much of the author’s other work, is particularly useful in guiding readers to relevant source materials.

Perham, Margery, The Government of Ethiopia, Northwestern: 1969 (HC, dust jacket).

Though written by a “non-Ethiopianist,” this book is remarkably thorough and useful, providing valuable insights into state structures and functions.

Pétridès, S. Pierre, Le Livre d’Or de la Dynastie Salomonienne d’Éthiopie, PLON: 1964 (HC).

This book recounts the history of Ethiopia along the lines of the Solomonic tradition, which links the royal family back to the child of Solomon and Sheba.

Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (1991), (two volumes), 1994.

Proceedings of the First National Conference of Ethiopian Studies, (two volumes), Institute of Ethiopian Studies: 1990.

Proceedings of the First United States Conference on Ethiopian Studies, 1973, MSU: 1975.

Proceedings of the Fourth Seminar of the Department of History, Addis Ababa University: 1989.

Proceedings of the Third Annual Seminar of the Department of History, Addis Ababa University: 1986.

Proceedings of the Third International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (1966), vol. III, Institute of Ethiopian Studies: 1970.

Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Ethiopian Studies, Illinois: 1979.

Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (1982), Institute of Ethiopian Studies, 1984.

Rubenson, Sven, The Survival of Ethiopian Independence, Kuraz: 1991.

This is the key book on the history of 19th century Ethiopia—its internal problems and external relations, and how the country managed to become the only African country successfully to resist by military means subjugation to European imperialism.

Salim, Ibrahim Umar, Kitáb Fathi al-Rahmáni, Jamí’ al-Haqúq Mahfútha: 1401 (Hejira).

This Arabic prayer booklet, written by a Haräri, is widely used in Islamic sufi rituals in the eastern Ethiopian city of Harär. If I ever get around to working on Islamic practice in that city, this source will be extremely useful.

Sandford, Christine, The Lion of Judah Hath Prevailed: being a biography of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, J. M. Dent & Sons: 1955 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

Written by the wife of a personal friend of the Emperor, this biography is highly laudatory and perhaps most useful for studies tracing intellectual history about/in Ethiopia.

Santagata, Fernando, L’Harar: Territorio di Pace e di Civiltá, Garzanti: 1940 (HC).

A useful primary source on environment, agriculture and politics, written by a fascist Italian stationed in Ethiopia during the occupation (1935-41).

Shirreff, David, Bare Feet and Bandoliers: Wingate, Sandford, the Patriots and the part they played in the Liberation of Ethiopia, Radcliffe: 1995 (HC, dust jacket).

Though this book is “old-fashioned” history in style, its attention to detail makes it a valuable text for the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Silverman, Raymond A., ed., Ethiopia: Traditions of Creativity, MSU: 1999.

Developed out of an MSU museum exhibition, this book charts new ground (against the established grain of Ethiopian Art History) in studies of Ethiopian material culture.

Takla S’adeq Makwuria, YäGrañ Ahmäd Wärära, Berhanenna Selam Publishers: 1966 (HC).

Almost 900 pages, long this book is the most substantial study of the 16th century Muslim-Christian holy wars in Ethiopia. The author is a well known popular historian of international stature who has contributed to UNESCO’s eight-volume history of Africa.

Talbot, David Abner, Contemporary Ethiopia, Philosophical Library: 1952 (HC).

This praise of Ethiopia was written by an African-American who immigrated to Ethiopia in the 1940s or 1950s and worked in Haile Sellassie’s government.

YäT’äqlay Ferd Bét yäFerdoch Mäs’haf (Supreme Court Law Report), Volume 1, Addis Ababa: 1990 (HC).

Collection of recent Supreme Court verdicts, with discussion of the cases, applicable laws, etc. A study guide for law students.

Tilahun Gamta, Oromo-English Dictionary, Addis Ababa University: 1989.

The author is one of the foremost linguistics of Oromo (a Cushitic language), and has butted heads with the Ethiopianist linguistic “establishment,” which is dominated by Semiticists. This dictionary is particularly important owing to its efforts to establish a system for writing Oromo in “Latin” characters rather than the Ge’ez syllabary (the writing system of Ethiopia’s Semitic languages).

Trimingham, J. Spencer, Islam in Ethiopia, Oxford: 1952 (HC, first edition, dust jacket).

After 50 years, this book is still the major starting point, and the only extended overview, of Islamic history and culture in Ethiopia.

Tubiana, Joseph, Ethioconcord: a Computerized Concordance of the Ethiopian and Gregorian Calendars, A.A. Balkema: 1988 (HC).

An absolutely indispensable book, this concord enables one quickly to translate Ethiopian dates to the Gregorian calendar.

Ullendorff, Edward, The Ethiopians: an Introduction to Country and People, Oxford: 1962 (HC).

Owing to its myriad biases, this volume is highly problematic by today’s standards, but unfortunately remains a basic reference text on Ethiopia.

Waldron, Sidney Ralph, Social Organization and Social Control in the Walled City of Harar, Ethiopia, PhD Dissertation, Columbia University, 1974.

The first of two dissertations that have been written on Harär town, this work is the starting place for anyone who wants to understand Haräri society, culture and history.

Wathá’iq ‘ain al-Súmál wa al’Habasha wa Artríyá (Documents on Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea), Cairo: n.d.

This collection of Arabic language primary and secondary source materials contains documents that are unavailable elsewhere. It is particularly useful for Islamic history, the relations between Horn countries and the Islamic world, and Arab Muslims perceptions on Horn events and practices.

Young, John, Peasant Revolution in Ethiopia: the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, 1975-1991, Cambridge: 1997 (HC, dust jacket).

This book is the only published, extensive history of the TPLF, the dominant party in Ethiopia’s supposedly “coalition” government. It is a valuable tool for understanding some of the myriad intricacies of Ethiopian politics today.