The political hotspot that is Africa, progressing through a renaissance and constantly torn between historical events and their repercussions, is depicted through journalistic and photographic record in a unique and uplifting publication titled Realty Bites – An African Decade by Gorrel Espelund, Jesper Strudsholm, Eric Miller.

Very different societies that lie within kilometres of each other are linked by a common story of despair and desperation underlying a positive change in attitude among the people of this continent.

Photojournalist Eric Miller is the only “African” out of the three contributors to this book. His images are honest and true; depicting a reality without being influenced by the tug of war battle of the media.

Gorrel Espelund and Jesper Strudsholm are two Scandanavian journalists who have documented various stories over the years across the entire continent. The stories told in Reality Bites focus on the will to survive. Against all odds - and at times, pure miracle - they prove that Africa is home to some of the most incredibly-spirited people.

Without too much focus on the negativity and dilemmas of the people, the aim of Realty Bites – An African Decade is to lift the veil and reveal what we don’t see: the people that make a difference outside of politics and power. We read of the atrocities of war, rape, murder, AIDS, landmines and religion.

We hear first-hand of the direst financial burden and the Western Capitalist regimes that destroy landscapes and communities.

Throughout, however, there is a message that needs to be recognised - a new survival technique of sorts.

This book is definitely worth a read for anyone who refuses to accept Africa as a lost cause. Published by Double Storey, it retails at R175. - Ruby Bernard