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| Winter 2003 Issue |
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Alumnus, Author Speaks to Library Friends at Inaugural Event
The book, published in May by the WVU Press, began more than 20 years
ago as Ofcanksy’s dissertation. “How I got interested in this? I guess you can blame Prof. Maxon,”
explained Ofcansky, an analyst for the U.S. Department of State. “He
was the one who helped me get to East Africa and taught me about the history
of the region.” Ofcansky traveled to East Africa several times as a student in the late
1970s and worked on temporary duty assignments in several U.S. Embassies
in East Africa, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea,
and Sudan after receiving his doctorate. The frequent visits enabled him to talk with residents of the region
about the changes they’ve seen to their homeland and to witness for
himself the effects of the creation of infrastructure and tourism. He contends problems started with the construction of the Uganda Railway
at the close of the 19th century, which made it much easier to reach the
interior of Kenya. Small towns sprouted up along the railway, British
settlers moved in to farm, and the war between wildlife and people began.
Animals attacked people who entered their territory, and people killed
animals to protect themselves and for food. Tourism has also left a negative impact of the environment. Several hundred
people traveled to Africa to see animals in the early 1900s, but the figure
grew to 120,000 tourists seeking the safari experience in 1955 and then
exploded by the late 1960s with the convenience of jet travel. Ofcansky doesn’t peg tourists alone as the problem. It’s the
task of keeping tourists happy that creates havoc. “The idea of living in a tent appeals to very few. They want a nice
hotel at the end of the day, a bath, food,” Ofcansky said. To meet this need, five-star hotels have gone up in or near many of the
national parks. Ofcansky points out that providing the accompanying luxuries
– pools, fine meals, roads – places more pressure on the fragile
land. “What’s happened in East Africa over that last century is a
microcosm of what’s happening in the world. We’re a pretty tough
species, and we’ve caused a lot of damage on this old beat up earth
of ours,” Ofcansky told the audience. “This is one small example.
Sadly, from my perspective, I don’t see that changing soon.” Sitting in the audience was a reward for Maxon, chair of the Department
of History. He has remained in close contact with Ofcansky over the past
two decades. The pair collaborated on the Historical Dictionary of Kenya,
and Maxon calls on Ofcansky’s expertise as an analyst in the field. “This is something we always want to see and were happy when it
happens,” Maxon said. “We’re honoring the publication of
a new book but also recognizing his achievements in a way.” Along with Paradise Lost, Ofcansky has authored several articles and
books, including Uganda: Tarnished Pearl of Africa, Annotated Bibliography
of British East Africa, 1865-1961, and Ethiopia: A Country Study. He collaborated
with retire WVU professor Rodger Yeager on the Historical Dictionary of
Tanzania. Maxon eagerly gave the latest edition to that list a stellar review. “We were impressed when it was first completed as a dissertation.
We think it’s an excellent piece of work,” Maxon said. He also praised the WVU Libraries for playing an integral role in research
performed by faculty and students. “Our library here has been very important in bringing people like
Dr. Ofcansky here in the first place because we had a good collection
on East Africa here at that particular time,” Maxon said. “Compared
to a lot of other institution at that time, it was definitely superior.” Ofcansky’s visit was the first of several similar events for the
Friends of the WVU Libraries. The Libraries’ goal is to present three
Friends Group programs a year. We will be looking at author talks, panel
discussions, presentations from our West Virginia & Regional History
Collection, and an "Antiques Roadshow" for books. For more information about the Friends of the WVU Libraries: www.libraries.wvu.edu/friends |
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| Ex Libris is published quarterly
by the WVU Libraries | |||||
