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