Cool. This sounds right up my alley. A distant past and culture not of my own and 5 volumes just screams "in-depth". I'll check for this.
>2. Africana - The Encyclopedia of the African and African >American Experience (note: 1. not a history book per se, but >includes historical elements; 2: there is a 5-volume set which >is fantastic, but kinda cost prohibitive) > >http://www.africanaencyclopedia.com/