This collection explores the multifaceted challenges and surprising discoveries encountered by researchers of recent history in Africa. The accounts detail practical concerns of daily life, such as housing and sustenance, alongside profound methodological questions about the nature of truth and its varying perspectives. The narratives are both engaging and educational, featuring incidents ranging from the bizarre theft of a newly constructed roof to the intense scrutiny of security police, initiation into secret societies, and accusations of witchcraft.

The book presents a collection of engaging and instructive personal accounts from recent history researchers in Africa. The introduction by Carolyn Adenaike sets the stage by outlining the specific difficulties faced by those working in this field, while Jan Vansina's epilogue provides a broader historical context for the evolution of research methods. The individual stories, such as a roof being stolen or facing accusations of witchcraft, highlight the often dramatic and unexpected nature of fieldwork. The collection aims to inform both about the realities of historical research and the broader historical forces at play.