Bradbury (development consultant) has written, with muted advocacy, an extended plea for the recognition of British Somaliland as a state, independent from embattled Somalia. Every aspect of this small enclave is explored. However, the text is rife with contradictions: while giving a detailed narrative of the positive development of the polityfollowing the independence declaration, it glosses over civil conflicts; while waxing positive on the economic foundation of Somaliland, it quickly notes its 73 percent poverty rate. Most conclusions, positive or negative, are followed by qualifiers, making it difficult to assess the material. Somaliland is described as a complex kinship-based society dominated by the Isaaq clan. With the democratic constitution and elections, the clan has the presidency and 57 of the 82 seats in the lower house, and clan-based elders fill the upper house of the legislature. The text needs a coherent organizational theme that does not allow the detail to overwhelm a general understanding of the society. Still, there is no other source on Somaliland that has this text's breadth of discussion.

Many will find it difficult to read the eight-point font of the references, index, and footnotes. Best for those with an interest in the Horn of Africa. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. --Choice R. M. Fulton, Northwest Missouri State University, March 2009.