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136th out of 655 books
—
500 voters
God Grew Tired Of Us: A Memoir
by
John Bul Dau (Goodreads Author),
Michael S. Sweeney
This unforgettable book is the first-person account of a miracle—indeed, a whole series of miracles. A tale of suffering, tragedy, and sorrow redeemed by indomitable resolve and a stubborn refusal to despair, it's set in a Sudan shadowed by unrelenting war and ruthless violence, yet illuminated by faith, generosity, and steadfast commitment to the human spirit's finest ins...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
January 16th 2007
by National Geographic
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I heard about this book from NPR. It is the story of John Bul Dau, a lost boy from Sudan. Interwined is the history of the wars between the north and south of Sudan to provide a comprehensive understanding as to what takes place within the story. Also included are the quotes from the "friends" of John Bul Dau, both Duk Payuel, his childhood home in Sudan, in the surrounding countries where the lost boys stayed for periods of time, and in America, where John Bul Dau presently lives and prospers....more
Very interesting and thought provoking.
Its a kind of biography of John.
John is from Sudan.In his childhood at his 11th year or so,his village was bombed by Muslim militants and he ran for his life.Its all about his journey to save his life till he reached America as a refugee and established his living hood.
The story would move our heart..It just shows of the contrast..When he ran for the life,he was around 11yrs..1981..ethnic warfare started spreading Sudan completely.His village was bombed and...more
Its a kind of biography of John.
John is from Sudan.In his childhood at his 11th year or so,his village was bombed by Muslim militants and he ran for his life.Its all about his journey to save his life till he reached America as a refugee and established his living hood.
The story would move our heart..It just shows of the contrast..When he ran for the life,he was around 11yrs..1981..ethnic warfare started spreading Sudan completely.His village was bombed and...more
Feb 24, 2008
Roni
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Roni by:
Maureen Keene (my boss)
This is an amazing story of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. It is amazing that things like this are still happening. It was an eye opener for me. There is a large population of Sudanese refugees in the Denver area. A family was recently baptized into my ward that fled the Sudan and Egypt. I was the mother's visiting teacher and the girls I got to know in Young Women's. I never really talked about the pain that they had to go through to get to America, but I was glad that I was aware of what they...more
Having been friends with a 'Lost Boy' who didn't talk about his past, I enjoyed reading John's memoir because it gave me a feel for the similar events which brought my friend to Utah.
I also liked his perspective on the USA as a whole. So many of us take our freedom for granted and fail to accept responsibility for our success or lack there of. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in what is wrong and forget how many great people live here who freely give of their time, talents, and money to he...more
I also liked his perspective on the USA as a whole. So many of us take our freedom for granted and fail to accept responsibility for our success or lack there of. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in what is wrong and forget how many great people live here who freely give of their time, talents, and money to he...more
In God Grew Tired of us by John Bul Dau John wants to reconnect with his family after leaving Africa because of the wars but, it is too dangerous to turn back so, he waits until he is in the United States and has the resources to connect with his family. One way this book was very different than most was the action or the cause took place at the beginning and the rest of the book was effects. the weakness of this book was it was never interesting enough I didn't want to put it down, or at least...more
John Bul Dau's story of his journey as a Lost Boy and his life in America is a deeply moving, heartwarming and inspirational story. Although he endured many hardships, suffering horrors that I cannot even begin to imagine, he overcame all those obstacles and has done absolutely amazing things with his life. His optimism and outlook on life are so beautiful. His words are very profound. You come away viewing life differently and appreciating the life we have been given that is often taken for gra...more
My husband asks "Why do you always read those sad stories?" Maybe I do lean a little towards tragedy, but this book, as well as some of my others, I like to classify as survival. I enjoy reading about other peoples lives, especially when they overcome negative circumstances(in this case - horrific) and continue on to create or continue an amazing life. John Bul Dau did exactly that. We have so much to learn from people like John Bul Dau.
As a Lost Boy, after losing his family in an attack on his...more
As a Lost Boy, after losing his family in an attack on his...more
This is an amazing tale of the lost boys of Sudan told by a remarkable survivor of the carnage that swept through his homeland. It is a story of the strength of the human spirit. It is truly inspirational.
As the author of a spiritually-themed novel, I am always on the outlook for books that provide food for my soul. This one certainly did it for me! It is an amazing journey of a thirteen year-old boy who loses his family when he has to escape from the ravages of civil war. Following that he ends...more
As the author of a spiritually-themed novel, I am always on the outlook for books that provide food for my soul. This one certainly did it for me! It is an amazing journey of a thirteen year-old boy who loses his family when he has to escape from the ravages of civil war. Following that he ends...more
An excellent book by one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. It begins when John is just 12 and his village is attacked. He is fortunate to escape with his life but spends years escaping to safe spots and survives horrendous conditions. Eventually John makes his way to the United States where he now lives and runs the John Dau Sudan Foundation to help others in Sudan. It is evident from the book that Mr. Dau loves his new country, but loves his Dinka heritage as well. He has praise for America and Americ...more
This book is one of the best books I've ever read. Two summers ago, in summer school, there were a couple students who had come to the US from Sudan. One of these youngsters was having a very hard time from all she had seen and adjusting to this new home and culture. I had previously heard of the Lost Boys, but never really heard much. I started researching a little and reading about this part of the world. I rented the movie documentary of the same title, but reading John's story was even more...more
I have some really mixed opinions here. Take a quick look at the general tone of ratings and reviews on this book, and you will arrive at the unmistakable conclusion that this is a profoundly moving book. I agree wholeheartedly. The story of the Lost Boys of Sudan is powerful and tragic, and this first-person retelling of those events carries a moral weight that can't easily be denied. What fuels my mixed response is the close-mindedness that occupies the latter parts of the book.
The first half...more
The first half...more
Excellent memoir!
From back cover:
"John Bul Dau is a hero, though too modest a man to ever say so himself. When civil war came to his peaceful village, death became his constant companion but never destroyed his belief in the simple strong values of Dinka society. On a life journey spanning thousands of miles from rural Africa to an American university, this born leader has approached each new day as a gift from God and met every challenge with a steadfast spirit that refused to despair. His memo...more
From back cover:
"John Bul Dau is a hero, though too modest a man to ever say so himself. When civil war came to his peaceful village, death became his constant companion but never destroyed his belief in the simple strong values of Dinka society. On a life journey spanning thousands of miles from rural Africa to an American university, this born leader has approached each new day as a gift from God and met every challenge with a steadfast spirit that refused to despair. His memo...more
The author of this simply written memoir is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan who's now living in this country. Not only does the book describe the turmoil and hardship he went through in Sudan, Ethiopia and finally Kenya, but it also shows what it was like to come to the United States. People were very welcoming and helpful, but they had no idea of the degree of culture shock these young men were experiencing. Well-meaning people also knew little about the life and cultural norms of the Dinka peopl...more
An excellent read about the lost boys of Sudan. I was skeptical at first, but really enjoyed the story as well as learning about another culture. I learned that hard things are still happening all over the world today, even though most of the time I am oblivious to a lot of it.
LOVED this book. I had no idea the recent history of Sudan. So it was enlightening plus I was amazed at the John's attitude and abilities throughout. This is his autobiography of that time of his life. I am glad I bought this one as it is one I will love having on my bookshelf.
God Grew Tired of Us
By John Bul Dau with Michael S. Sweeney
(Note: John Bul Dau’s God Grew Tired of Us has been selected by the Lynchburg Public Library for 2010’s “Lynchburg Reads” program. There will be book discussions and other public programs offered this spring and Mr. Dau will speak at Randolph College on April 21 at 8:00 P.M. Mr. Dau’s appearance is being funded by The Friends of the Lynchburg Public Library, The Holocaust Education Foundation of Central Virginia and Randolph College.)
“I...more
Jun 12, 2011
Addie Stillman
marked it as to-read
I plan on reading this book soon. I saw the documentary in my World Studies class. I reccomend watching the documentary, as it is touching and inspiring to watch the journey of John Bul and a few of his fellow Lost Boys. The documentary takes you along on their journey, starting in Sudan where you experience what their lives in refugee camps were like. They explain how they came to be in refugee camps, what their lives were like before, their thoughts on the Sudanese civil war, and what they hop...more
I was a bit scared to read this book, worried that it was going to upset me and that I wont finish it. The book did upset me but not because of overly graphic descriptions of pain and suffering, which is what I was concerned about.
It made me wonder what happened to humanity, and it also left me astounded at the strength of the human spirit.
This book, for me, highlighted the importance of tradition. In many ways sticking to his tribal traditions and ways have anchored John. It also made me reali...more
It made me wonder what happened to humanity, and it also left me astounded at the strength of the human spirit.
This book, for me, highlighted the importance of tradition. In many ways sticking to his tribal traditions and ways have anchored John. It also made me reali...more
This is the amazing journey of John Bul Dau, one of the Lost Boys of the Sudan. He, along with tens of thousands of other children (mostly boys) was dispossessed during the civil war of the mid-1980s and became a "wanderer in the desert" for the better part of 15 years -- hungry, thirsty, often fearing for his life, living each day as if it would be his last. I cannot imagine being to able to survive such a life -- let alone survive it with integrity and joy. It's the "joy" of it that truly has...more
"I did not say so at the time, but I felt one more thing above all others. It was a private thing, so I did not share it. But I felt, very strongly, the grace of God. I can take no credit for it; grace is not something anyone can earn. Rather, grace opened before me like the door, and I walked through it. I knew I had been blessed. How else could anyone explain the impossible odds I had overcome- the dangers, the miles, the despair. God had not forgotten me after all."- John Bul Dau "The lost bo...more
This book is about the lost boys of Sudan. It talks about john Bul Dau about his life in Sudan and going to Ethiopia and Kenya and America.
It start when his village was attacked by the north Sudan militia. He was separated from his family. He met other boys and started walking to Ethiopia. Ethiopia ask them to leave the country they had no choice but to walk back to Sudan through Kenya but a lot of them died walking. There was no water or food. john came to America in 2001 with some of his child...more
It start when his village was attacked by the north Sudan militia. He was separated from his family. He met other boys and started walking to Ethiopia. Ethiopia ask them to leave the country they had no choice but to walk back to Sudan through Kenya but a lot of them died walking. There was no water or food. john came to America in 2001 with some of his child...more
this review pertain to the movie (documentary) by the same name.
The movie got a 4.5 star rating. If I go along with that, then the book "What's the What" (another Sudanese autobio) should get about 40 stars.
To be fair, "God" focused on the Sudanese boys' American life, spending only about 10-15 min on their Sudanese history, whereas "What" spent >3/4 on Valentino Achak Deng's Sudanese days; and that the latter book is almost twice as long as the first.
Still, for a documentary, "God" advocate...more
The movie got a 4.5 star rating. If I go along with that, then the book "What's the What" (another Sudanese autobio) should get about 40 stars.
To be fair, "God" focused on the Sudanese boys' American life, spending only about 10-15 min on their Sudanese history, whereas "What" spent >3/4 on Valentino Achak Deng's Sudanese days; and that the latter book is almost twice as long as the first.
Still, for a documentary, "God" advocate...more
The autobiography of a young man who at 13 yrs old is caught in the war in southern Sudan and separated from his family finding his way to a series of refugee camps and eventually to the U.S. It is helpful to understand more of what is going on in Sudan. Today in a different region of the country the Darfur region is still in turmoil. I would rate this book a 3 1/2 there are slow moving sections, but I enjoyed the ending where he had a chance to reflect on his experiences and to begin trying to...more
This book was yet another wonderfully written memoir about the genocide/war in Sudan, specifically about the Lost Boys. To learn about the Dinka tribe's culture and traditions and beliefs was lovely. I had no idea that most are Christian, and so this was refreshing to read about because John referenced the bible several times. Previous books I've read about genocide have not been about Christian tribes, but have been just as educational and interesting to read nonetheless, from a different persp...more
I was assigned this book to read the summer before my freshmen year in college for a freshmen seminar class. Without a doubt it is the best summer reading I was ever been assigned. It is an amazing story made all the better by the fact that it is true. It is heart wrenching and uplift all at once. I really can't recommend it highly enough. There is also a documentary of the same title that was made about the same topic featuring John Dau that I also highly recommend.
A memoir that is both inspiring and thought-provoking. Dau's voice will awe you with his confidence and clarity of vision (especially given all that he has endured). I love that the narrative is interspersed with historical details, as well as interviews with his family and friends. A great nonfiction pick if you are looking for some insight into the Sudanese civil war and the innocent bystanders affected by it. http://www.thewellreadredhead.com/201... (link available 2/22/13)
Somehow, this non-fiction book is more hopeful and far less bleak than the last fiction book I read (The Road, by Cormac McCarthy). This is really saying something, since it chronicles a young boy's flight from the Sudan, through various refugee camps, and eventual immigration to the US during what seemed like an endless series of civil wars in the east-Africa region. His story has stayed with me for days. If you read this book and don't see your glass as half full from then on, I'm not sure I w...more
I was a bit thrown off by the title. I kinda just picked a book at random and was intrigued with the title. I thought it was gonna be about what is wrong with this world and how we can fix it or some mumbo jumbo like that.
Instead its about a boy's triumphant journey from war torn parts of Sudan to finding his way to united states, applying to college, finding a job and then trying to reconnect with his family.
Tear-Jerker.
Instead its about a boy's triumphant journey from war torn parts of Sudan to finding his way to united states, applying to college, finding a job and then trying to reconnect with his family.
Tear-Jerker.
I had seen Christopher Quinn's wonderful documentary about the Lost Boys of Sudan and remember clearly the scenes of one group's arrival in Syracuse, NY, where volunteers took them to a grocery store for the first time, showed them how to flip a light switch, use a stove and all the other wonders that we take for granted in our modern world, so I was a little reluctant to read this memoir, thinking it would be redundant. Boy, was I wrong. John Dau's account begins the night his village was attac...more
Just finished God Grew Tired of Us and I could not put it down. What a heartbreaking, courageous and brave story of John Bul Dau. His life story is truly amazing. As with other Lost Boys, to survive what he went through and to come out with such inspiring and positive attitude, I can't even imagine. After reading this, it does make you put your own life in perspective. Please read this book. If anything it does make you thank God for what you have.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A book that opened my eyes | 1 | 1 | Apr 09, 2013 09:30am |
John Dau is a survivor of a 14-year journey from his home village in Duk County, Sudan in 1987 to his arrival in Syracuse, New York in 2001. As a young boy he fled Sudanese government troops and eventually arrived at the Kukuma refugee camp in Kenya in 1992. During this journey of more than 1,000 miles, he led thousands of younger children through violence and starvation. Selected to come to Syrac...more
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“Times slows when your life is in danger. Every second takes a minute to pass, and even the smallest event gets chiseled into memory. (95)”
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