"John K. Thornton's new book is another must-read. It contains both translations of the extant letters of the most significant king of Kongo's history, Afonso I (r. 1506-1542), and a powerful, learned, and highly readable analysis of what these letters tell us about the life and times of one of the most important rulers anywhere in the world during the sixteenth?century. This book will be essential reading for ?scholars, teachers, and students engaged with the history of the Kingdom of Kongo." -Toby Green, King's College London

John K. Thornton?is Professor of History and African American Studies, Boston University. Luis Madureira?is Professor of African Cultural Studies, University of Wisconsin?Madison.