Vanity Fair July 2007 Africa Issue, Madonna/Hounsou Cover

Bono's July 2007 issue of Vanity Fair is a fascinating collection of paradoxes. It's for a noble causethe RED charity to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa. At the same it's a vanity project, with celebrities like Bill&Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Brad Pitt, and Bono himself looking thoughtful. One would assume the magazine would be an exercise in self-congratulation. Instead, it's a fascinating,in-depth look at the plight and strength of Africa.

There are fascinating featuresKenyan authors, the African music scene with greats such as Tinariwen, Habib Koite and Adama Yalomba, China's influence, the Congo, and Jeffrey Sachs' ambitious plan to eradicate poverty. Brad Pitt has a surprisingly thoughtful interview with South African bishop Desmond Tutu about issues as diverse as war and peace,as well as the current controversy over homosexuality in the Anglican Church. There's an interview with producer luminary Quincy Jones, and humor from Chris Rock. There's a "Spirit of Africa"-a hall of fame of sortswith the Ivory Coast Soccer Team, singer Angelique Kidjo, former child soldier Ishmael Beah, and Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

The July 2007 Vanity Fair issue about Africa is more than a pretty face. It's inspirational and charitable. Great writing, beautiful pictures--all for a good cause.