In this four-volume work, the West-African state Niger is introduced according as the author found it half a century ago: volume 1 (this book) presents an overview of the country and a report on the daily life in the capital Niamey. Volumes 2 to 4 refer to various excursions within Niger. This was at a time, before the devastating years of drought swept through the country and the remains were attacked by al-Qaeda and Boko Haram, in such a way that the country is still suffering and is no longer suitable for foreign visitors.