Benin is now perceived of as a model of democracy in Africa because it has successfully established a democratic political system based on consensus and regular and fair elections, and it continues to improve its electoral and parliamentary systems. Since its democracy it has taken important steps towards laying the foundation for the rule of law by establishing stable political institutions that can withstand the test of time. It has also engaged in an important legal, institutional, and regulatory reform to establish a more favorable environment for private initiative.

The fourth edition of Historical Dictionary of Benin covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 900 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Benin.

This title is highly recommended for academic and large public libraries country studies collections. It provides a one-volume reference book on this seldom-studied African nation. * American Reference Books Annual *
The fourth edition reflects the addition of coauthor Houngnikpo (National Defense Univ.) to a dictionary (3rd ed., 1995; 2nd ed., CH, Sep'88, 26-0017) previously written by Decalo (Univ. of Natal, Durban). This new edition evidences significant editorial changes, including new entries, along with the expansion of some entries and the omission of others. The foreword indicates that this fourth edition is the work of Houngnikpo, but that it "rests on the first three editions." It appears that the coauthors differ in their views of which people, places, and events are worthy of entries. For this reason, libraries that purchase the fourth edition might consider retaining at least the third edition as opposed to viewing this new edition as a replacement. This work is important from many standpoints, but being an English reference work on a Francophone country is probably its most outstanding characteristic. Former French colonies can be elusive to the English reader, and this volume supplies fine details about Benin. The extensive bibliography is also beneficial, even though a large portion is devoted to French works. Summing Up: Recommended. * Choice Reviews *

Mathurin C. Houngnikpo is the academic chair of Civil-Military Relations at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.

Samuel Decalo is professor of political science at the University of Natal, Durban. He has published numerous books and articles on Africa and the Middle East, including three other dictionaries in this series (Benin, Togo, and Niger).