Reading has and continues to be an integral part of my life. It is the single most fulfilling activity that provides me with a private sanctuary of unmatched enjoyment and unparallel satisfaction. In fact, reading is the essential catalyst that furthers my knowledge. Consequently, I've observed an enormous intellectual growth with the passing years as the depth and girth of my book collection continually expands.

I'm most appreciative of my close friend Victor Andrews, whom granted me my early exposure to a private book vendor. Although, I did not purchase my first book until I was ca. mid-twenties, this formerly unforgettable experience was to shape and retain my interest in books. Years later, I recall walking into the smallish but voluminous book store in Miami, FL and feeling comfortably at home among the stacks. It was then, that I made my initial purchase to fulfill my leisure reading interest - Alkebu-lan (Africa).

My primary interest in Alkebu-lan was to examine a dim and distant past. Fundamentally, I desired to understand how and why Nile Valley High-Cultures influenced succeeding civilizations. Naturally, to achieve this aim, it required revisiting the cradle of man and gazing into the foundations of its development. By doing so, it has become abundantly clear to me that Kemit i.e., Egypt was the culmination of shared cultured values by indigenous Africans. The migration of Africans along the "Blue" and "White Niles" and their tributaries proved substantial in weaving a social fabric that built revered dynasties. Somehow this fact has vanished or is unfortunately overlooked.

Thus I present my collection duly entitled: Travels to a distant epoch, Kemit's Golden Age. Author entries are represented with the likes of Dr. Ben-Jochannan, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, and Dr. Cheik Anta-Diop to name a few. The focus of the collection covers information of various ranges. For example, 'Women of Antiquity', reveals insight into the significant roles of indigenous African Queen Hatshepsut and Queen Mother Tetisheri in the Pharonic dynasties. Where as, in 'Kush', the author offers a provocative challenge to the Egyptological establishment. The author cites Bruce Williams's hypothesis based on his archaeological discoveries affirming a Predynastic and anterior Nubian divine kingship preceding and contributing to Kemit i.e., Egypt. Finally, the illustrious Dr. Ben-Jochannan in his comprehensive text, "Africa, Mother of Western Civilization" presents us Imhotep, a multigenius and architect of the old kingdom, who designed the original STEP PYRAMID.

To conclude, the intent of this collection is to further expose the interested reader to scholarly literature that interprets the cultural, historical, and social heritage of Africans at home and those abroad. Accordingly, it must be understood, that it is not the presenter's intent to endorse any particular work. But instead share what is generally accepted as authoritative and note worthy work(s). Surely, a glance at the world will truly reflect the contribution of all.

The text is a study into the reflection of Maat philosophical teachings of Egypt. Readers are exposed to Egyptian proverbs addressing topics ranging from health to humanity.

Dr. Akbar, a psychologist by training, advances the thought of refining, reshaping, and authenticating the human psyche. Dr. Akbar provides a clear outline of Kemetic i.e., Egypt origins of psychology and human development. This is achieved by exploring the different dimensions of the concept of the "soul" as characterized by the ancient Egyptians.

The author documents astonishing scientific accomplishments of Egypt and offers a glimpse of this science. The author begins the discussion by revealing the significance of the Ankh as a spiritual icon and symbolically, the highest representation of life. A more stylized version is seen today in Christianity, but the Ankh, the original cross, was/is considered an important "key" with electromagnetic properties.

Generally, the book is a self help meditation course. The book's emphasis, uses the Kamitic i.e., (ancient Egyptian) understanding of meditation to spiritual consciousness. In addition, the text uses Kamitic spiritual philosophy to analyze the division of "spirit" that reside in humans.

Having undertaking research in Africa, the authors offer exacting intellectual discourse on the classical question of Egypt and Greece. For instance, it is irrefutable that Ionians, Greeks, and other Nations traveled and studied in the Egyptian institutions along the Nile River. This text sheds light on this remarkable fact and produces a formulation of African's role in early human civilization, specifically Greece.

Dr. Asante writes of ancient world philosophers of Egypt and their philosophies. The book accounts for some of the earliest personalities in the context of African thought.

Egyptians practiced yoga, a commonly unknown fact is revealed in this text. Dr. Ashby symbolically illustrates the presence of the existence and practice of the yoga philosophy in Egypt earlier than anywhere else historically.

Dr. Ben-Jochannan carefully reviews the dawn of Alkebu-lan's (Africa) history and its high culture. Dr. Ben-Jochannan shares anthropological information of fossils discovered in Africa. While doing so, Dr. Ben-Jochannan establishes indigenous African populations that were indeed phenotypically "polytipc" and demonstrates this continuity which existed in Egypt during the old, middle and new kingdoms. This comprehensive text continues as an excellent source in exposing historical truths about Egypt's glorious past.

Readers of this text are treated to an image of the people and their culture responsible for many of today's religious concepts. Dr. Ben-Jochannan maintains Nile (Egyptian) valley religions, forerunners of Western religions, were developed from traditional religions of indigenous Africans thousands of years before Greek philosophy emerged. Therefore the perspective taken, presents Africa as a major contributor to world civilization spirituality.

Dr. Ben-Jochannan establishes the legitimacy of indigenous Africans of Ethiopia, Nubia, and Meroe - great lakes region, as the primary originators of Egyptian civilization. Moreover, Dr. Ben-Jochannan further asserts as originators of Egyptian culture, indigenous Africans and their descendants are also originators of what is today called "Western Civilization" as well.

The original Papyrus of Ani reserves a high place as being an authoritative spiritual text. The general body of the Theban text contains information that was used by the initiates of the Egyptian Mystery System thousands of years B.C.E.

Mr. Chandler presents 20 years of exhaustive research into Hermetic principles. The principles embody the ancient wisdom of Egypt. From general to specific, the Hermetic principles are a guide into clarity of Egyptian perception of their life transforming experiences.

The illustrious Dr. Diop, a multifaceted scholar first published this text in Paris ca. 1955. Dr. Diop uses an interdisciplinary approach in researching remote African history. Subsequently, Dr. Diop's thesis is the Pharonic Egyptian dynasties which flourished for centuries were undoubtedly indigenous African. A must read text for students and scholars alike.

The original papyrus contains writings of wisdom and principles. The writings are said to be attributed to Ptah-Hotep, the eldest son of a old kingdom Pharaoh who renounced the throne to pursue priestly duties.

Stolen Legacy was published in the mid 20^th. The objective of the author was to demonstrate the contribution of ancient Egyptian civilizations made in the development of Greek philosophy. At first glance, the title suggests many concepts promulgated by Greece were in fact innovations of Egypt. For centuries, this fact lay buried in the ruins of time and secrecy. With the efforts of this text, hopefully awareness and appreciation of African contribution(s) will be raised.

This text presents convincing facts of Nubia and its influence in the development of Kemet i.e., Egypt. Nubia's civilization ruled by indigenous Africans and having historically preceded Egypt's, in its formation of divine kingship. Thus, in this analysis, the author asserts the importance of Nubia as a formative nurturer and supporter of Egypt.

Maat is a set of time honored ideals and qualities used by Egyptians to govern their societies. The word is translated as "truth, justice, order, adjustment, and honesty." Some myth-makers will cast Maat as an order or cult, but its principles were used by many adherents who traveled to Africa seeking the teachings. The author in this book skillfully describes Maat to readers.

The author provides convincing material of an Egypt that existed before Greece. The later civilization enriched by former innovations i.e., astronomy, religion, medicine, geometry.
Mr. Poe further explores the rise of Asia Minor and the cultural similarity between Egypt and its tributary territories.

Mr. Sauneron was very much interested in Egyptology and compiled a bibliography of 200 works on the subject. Spirituality was central to Egyptian life and fundamental to its civilization. Hence, Mr. Sauneron explored the realms of religious life of the Egypt's priests. In doing so, reveals the daily life and functions of the Egypt's priesthood.

Dr. Van Sertima focuses on the revered queens and goddesses of Ethiopia and Egypt. The text establishes the existence and frequency of queenship in Africa. This metrical pattern is also observed in Egypt with the great queen Pharoah Hatshepsut, and the historic line of Candaces of Ethiopia. The text also draws attention to many of their predecessors and successors who by virtue were eminent source of balance and personification of beauty.

Dr. Van Sertima establishes an early, pre-Columbus, Egyptian-Nubian contact in the new world. This cross-cultural contact is suggested to have occurred during the Ramessides's dynasties and is evident in the archaeological remains unearthed on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dr. Van Sertima is among the prominent scholars of the last 20^th century who diligently sought to remove racial myths. Dr. Van Sertima researches the archaeological finds in Africa to determine the racial composition of Egyptian dynastic times. There is a growing body of compelling scientific evidence that clearly demonstrates an African origin of, particularly from the great lakes region, Egyptian civilization.

In 1908, Mr. Steiner lectured on the spiritual science of Egypt. Each of Mr. Steiner's lectures explores various aspects of Egypt's cultural practices and connections to its spiritual experiences.

The text explains the Egyptian approach to well being and health. Physicians were common in Egypt. Therefore, it is not surprising that the practice of medicine and remedies were used by the ancient Egyptians. One such physician, Imhotep, acclaimed as the world's first multigenius was worshipped as a demigod in Greece.

This text is translated into English by Mr. Waddell. Manetho was an Egyptian native who wrote in Greek. He was a chief priest and held an official office during the reign of Ptolemy II. Manetho is remembered for chronicling the dynastic Queens and Kings of each golden age.

This final entry of my book collection is likely the most pivotal. The Historical Origins of Christianity was written after 20 years of investigative research. Although short, the information contained in the text is vital in illustrating the formation of Western religion. Precisely, the ancient trinity of Ausara, Aset and Heru or Osiris, Isis, and Horus - that is the divine concept of Father, Mother, and Son, used by Egyptians in spiritual ceremonies was fundamental to the emergence of Christianity. Data suggests the events surrounding Ptolemy I, Lagi's (Soter) ascension to the Egyptian throne as being historically significant.