Ngugi

Chege Githiora is Professor of Linguistics, African Languages and Literatures at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and is author of Afro-Mexicans: Discourse of race and identity in the African Diaspora. James Currey founded James Currey publishers in 1984 and it has long been recognized as the leading publisher of academic books on Africa. He was the editorial director at Heinemann Educational Books in charge of the African Writers Series from 1967 to 1984. He is the recipient of the African Literary Association's 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. Jane Plastow is Professor of African Theatre, University of Leeds.

• PrefaceChronologyIntroduction: Ngugi wa Thiong'o - Reflecting on a Life in Writing - Simon GikandiNgugi at work - Ndirangu WachangaPART I SERENADES & BEGINNINGSHyperbolic praise poetry for Ngugi @ 80: In imitation of African orature - Micere Githae MugoA Song at Dawn [for Ngugi wa Thiong'o] - Tsitsi JajiNgugi in Eritrea - Charles CantalupoUp from Makerere: On the publication of Weep Not, Child - Susan Nalugwa KiguliEncountering Ngugi at Leeds: An interview with Peter Nazareth - Roland NasasiraThe book that made me: On Weep Not, Child - Simon GikandiNote from a literary son - Peter KimaniWhat is in a name? - Ime IkkidehIn exile: Between Britain & Kenya - Odhiambo Levin OpiyoPART II MEMORIES, RECOLLECTIONS & TRIBUTESRemembering early conversations with Ngugi - Bernth LindforsNgugi wa Thiong'o at 80: Pongezi - Congratulations! - Eddah GachukiaNgugi at 80: Inspiring encounters - Willy MutungaNgugi in the '70s at the University of Nairobi - Margaretta wa GacheruProfessor, you are in Ngugi's book - Rhonda Cobham-Sander and Reinhard W. SanderMuraata, Murutani, na Muthikiriria - Friend, teacher & listener - Ann BierstekerFear & trepidation in Asmara: Meeting Ngugi - Jane PlastowNgugi wa Thiong'o: A true story - Grant FarredNgugi wa Thiong'o: Tribute on his 80th birthday - Chege GithioraPART III WORKING WITH NGUGINgugi & the decolonization of publishing - James CurreyThe turning point: Ngugi wa Thiong'o & his publisher - Henry ChakavaWorking with Ngugi wa Thiong'o - Sultan SomjeeRecollections of Mutiiri:The beginnings - Kimani NjoguPART IV THE WRITER, THE CRITIC & THE WORLDBricklayer & architect of a world to come - Emilia IleviaRevisioning Goethe's idea of "World Literature": Commendation address on the awarding of Dr. Phil. h.c. to Professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o - Anne AdamsGlobalectics: Beyond postcoloniality & engaging the Caribbean - Carole Boyce DaviesNgugi & the quest for a linguistic paradigm shift: Some reflections - Alamin MazruiAutobiographical prototypes in Ngugi wa Thiong'o's early fiction & drama - Gichingiri NdigirigiHomecoming: The idea of return in the works of Ngugi wa Thiong'o - James OgudeGucookia Ruui Mukaro - Redirecting the river back to its rightful course - Kiarii KamauMuthoni's afterlives - Grace A. MusilaPART V THE OTHER NGUGIKwa Grant Kamenju: Hotuba ya kuipokea digrii ya heshima ya uzamifu kutoka chuo kikuu cha Dar es Salaam - Ngugi wa Thiong'oWasomi, lugha za Ulaya na za Kiafrika: Kati ya kuweza na kuwezwa - Ngugi wa Thiong'oAsia in My Life - Ngugi wa Thiong'oNdai ya Wendo [A Riddle of Love] - Ngugi wa Thiong'oAPPENDIXESA. Review of Wizard of the Crow: Ngugi's homecoming gift to Kenyans [Cabral Pinto /Willy Mutunga] - Willy MutungaB. Directing the river back to its course - Kiarii KamauC. For Grant Kamenju - Ngugi wa Thiong'oD. Intellectuals, European & African Languages: Between enslavement & empowerment - Ngugi wa Thiong'oE. A Riddle of Love - Ngugi wa Thiong'oBibliography of Ngugi's Primary Works

The respected contributors in the volume know Ngugi in person and use the opportunity the book offers to bring to the fore the most salient contributions Ngugi has made in literary studies.