Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond
by Don Cheadle, John Prendergast
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 490)
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
activists
First of all, if you have deeper interest in issues surrounding American intervention in Darfur, you should read this article, and the commentary following it: http://www.lrb.co.uk/v29/n05/m...
Here's a taste: "The depoliticisation, naturalisation and, ultimately, demonisation of the notion ‘Arab’, as against ‘African’, has been the deadliest effect, whether intended or not, of the Save Darfur campaign." ...more
Here's a taste: "The depoliticisation, naturalisation and, ultimately, demonisation of the notion ‘Arab’, as against ‘African’, has been the deadliest effect, whether intended or not, of the Save Darfur campaign." ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
Wow. It took me forever to get through this book. Part of it was grading, pregnancy woes, and less frequent gym sessions, which all conspired against my reading time. But part of it was also that I was just the wrong audience for this book, I think. I appreciate everything the book is trying to do and am now equipped to write letters and otherwise be more active on the Darfur front; however, I didn't need so much motivating as much as clear information and resources. In fact, the most useful par...more
Like this review?
yes
3 comments
Read in May, 2007
For years, I have turned a semi-blind eye to Darfur because the thought of genocide seems too big to handle...depsite feeling like I could make a difference in global health, I've always felt helpless to do anything against crimes against humanity. This book is NOT a detailed history about the Darfur crisis. There is some historical background, enough to give you some knowledge to discuss in conversation. It is an extremely easy read and it's interesting to see the transformation of Don Cheadle,...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone!
The genocide in Darfur has been getting a lot of much-deserved attention in popular and alternative media, and Darfur has been a rallying point for human rights activists and enhanced foreign policy advocates for the past four years. This book is by a couple of the higher-profile individuals working to make change. It details much of what has been happening there, what has been done or not been done to stop it, and, in the last couple of chapters, offers some steps that everyone can do to stop ...more
Like this review?
yes
(2 people liked it)
1 comments
Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
this is a fantastic book about the reality of crimes against humanity, and what is and is not being done to stop them; co-authored by Don Cheadle, from Hotel Rwanda, the book proposes realistic solutions for everyday Americans on how to help end genocide and specifically the genocide in Darfur. Constantly, whenever reading this book I had a knot in my stomach from guilt - but the book provides ways for everyone to alleviate the guilt of ignoring 400,000+ deaths that the media devotes far ...more
Like this review?
yes
(2 people liked it)
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
Eleah
I picked up this book because I had watched <u>The Devil Came On Horseback<u> and I wanted to learn about how to do more.
This book is really excellent because it's part text book, part personal memoirs, part call to do more. It tells you why you should care, why the authors have dedicated a large part of their lives to the cause, and how to alleivate the situation in several different ways.
Before I thought the only way to help the situation in Darfur was to write letters. B...more
This book is really excellent because it's part text book, part personal memoirs, part call to do more. It tells you why you should care, why the authors have dedicated a large part of their lives to the cause, and how to alleivate the situation in several different ways.
Before I thought the only way to help the situation in Darfur was to write letters. B...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2007
Don Cheadle the actor is co-author. the story is interesting about what's going on in Darfur and the reaction- or lack of reaction- by the rest of the world. the writing isn't great, but the issue is compelling
Now that I've finished I'm just a little bit pissed off. How is it that this stuff happens without any news coverage or attention from our government? How can we spend billions in Iraq for no apparent reason and not pay attention to this? I suppose as long as our foreign policy is...more
Now that I've finished I'm just a little bit pissed off. How is it that this stuff happens without any news coverage or attention from our government? How can we spend billions in Iraq for no apparent reason and not pay attention to this? I suppose as long as our foreign policy is...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
With prose oozing with the colorful personalities of Don Cheadle and John Prendergast, this book provides a comprehensive history of the conflict in the Sudan and an update on the violent and desperate situation still raging in Darfur. It also tells the story of Don and Johns involvement in the area, and the amazing people they have met, all inspired to end the genocide and make good on the promise 'Never Again.' It includes practical tips on how to get involved, to speak out and include others ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
If a reader is looking for a great summary of the crisis in Darfur riddled with opinions, thoughts and memories from Don Cheadle and John Prendergast - and to be honest who wouldn't - this is a phenomenal read. I found myself consumed with laughter, contemplation and most of all hope.
It is easy to be consumed with the dark subject of the book - but the authors keep coming back at you with hopeful tidbits.
I am thoroughly convinced a class on activism and genocide should be taught/center...more
It is easy to be consumed with the dark subject of the book - but the authors keep coming back at you with hopeful tidbits.
I am thoroughly convinced a class on activism and genocide should be taught/center...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
This book gets four stars because at the time of reading it is a bit outdated... however I now understand the situation that currently still transpires for the people of Darfur..
Reading from the perspective of a movie star (Don Cheadle) who is candid about his shift from apathy to activism is uplifting; the book also outlines steps on how ordinary people can get involved.
A particular response I found fascinating was the call to divestment of funds in corporations that support the governm...more
Reading from the perspective of a movie star (Don Cheadle) who is candid about his shift from apathy to activism is uplifting; the book also outlines steps on how ordinary people can get involved.
A particular response I found fascinating was the call to divestment of funds in corporations that support the governm...more
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
Read in May, 2007
Got me pumped to write some letters, raise some money, do anything i can to stop genocide in Darfur. These guys did a good job of keeping the reading light and fast--doesn't bog you down with data and what not--it's basically a guide to how to be active on the issue but it has multiple references to other books and sources that are more factual and academic in their handling of the issue.
All in all, a good read if you know nothing about Darfur but care enough to learn a little and do a lit...more
All in all, a good read if you know nothing about Darfur but care enough to learn a little and do a lit...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2007
The book is informative about the history of Sudan, but it's tedious if you already know the material. The section of the book meant to galvanize people into participating gets repetitive and is not as inspiring as it needs to be. However, despite all this, what makes the book worth reading are people's individual stories (i.e. survivors, victims, Don Cheadle, etc). Those were the moments where I got goosebumps. Those were the times I wanted to push for action.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
amateur activists
I didn't really enjoy reading this book, it was not very well written. A celebrity (Don Cheadle) is one of the main authors, and sometimes he seems to just be name-dropping. But! I gave it 4 stars anyway for its simple framing of steps people can take to combat genocide. Especially the index at the end of the book makes it seem more simple to actually solve these complex issues. So, worth reading, not that fun of a read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
Mankind
This book is a call to action. Actor Don Cheadle (Hotel Rawanda) and activist John Prendergast give practical advice to anyone wishing to get off of the political sidelines with regard to genocide. This book teaches practical ways that everyone can get involved in stopping the current genocide in Darfur. If you ever thought you are incapable of taking action this book will put that theory to rest.
Thanks Chrissys'
Thanks Chrissys'
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
2 comments
Read in July, 2007
If you want to become more knowledgeable about the crisis in Darfur, this is definitely the book to read. I enjoyed it and it is a fast read. Don Cheadle and John Prendergast really help you to be informed about what is happening in Darfur and neighboring countries. Also, they offer many recommendations on how we, as Americans can end the genocide.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in October, 2007
I had to read this book to do a project for my English 2010 class. It was written by Don Cheadle, the actor who played the main character in Hotel Rwanda. It's very informative and shows the horrible sitation currently happening in Darfur, Sudan. It's a great book, and I really liked it because it brought to the forefront a situation I've been involved in.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
andy, jane, christine
It very carefully outlines acts of genocide that have occured since WW2 and then uses these examples to show what is going on in Sudan currently. The book is written by both a journalist and my favorite actor (Don Cheadle) which provides two different viewpoints on what is happening in Sudan and how we in the US can rally action in response to the genocide.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2007
I actually read this book as part of my research on Darfur....but it reads very easily and is very interesting. If you want to read about a current hot topic with politics and human rights, I highly recommend it. The topic itself is depressing but the two authors do a good job of constantly reminding the reader about what one can do to help.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in May, 2008
Social activist John Prendergast and Don Cheadle explore the conflict occurring in Darfur. They include their personal experiences, theories, pictures and even add in organizations committed to ending the genocide to grab readers into the troubles of Africa. After reading this book, I wanted to take action and did just that in Amnesty International!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
people looking for answers
I think this book was well-written in the sense that it gives you the facts without leaving you hopeless in the face of such atrocity. It empowers you to do something to change the world. If you an interested in learning more about what's going on, read this book.
"To stay quiet is as political an act as speaking out." -Arundhati Roy.
"To stay quiet is as political an act as speaking out." -Arundhati Roy.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
