The 1998 war between former allies Eritrea and Ethiopia involved the largest set piece battles in Africa since World War II and is estimated to have claimed the lives of between 70,000 and 100,000 people. Jacquin-Berdal (international relations, London School of Economics, UK) and Plaut (Africa editor, BBC World Service radio news) present 12 essays that examine different aspects of the war, its origins, and its aftermath. Ideological and economic causal factors are explored, the roles of foreign and international actors in trying to mediate the conflict are analyzed, regional implications are considered, and the flawed conditions of the peace are discussed. The editors also include a number of key documents related to the Organization of African Unity's interventions into the war and the eventual peace agreement between the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR