bookshelves: currently-reading
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bookshelves: currently-reading
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Whew. This book was recommended to me by a co-worker, as the work we were both doing at the time centered around international criminal law, with the Rwanda genocide being the impetus for the creation of the ICTR, something of a predecessor to the ICC (which we monitored as part of our work).
It was at times difficult to read, not just because of its gruesome subject matter but also because of the writing style. That being said, if there is another book I'm more glad that I read, I'd be hard pressed to name it. I'm currently also reading Philip Gourevitch's "We Wish to Inform You...," which gives a broader picture of the conflict as well as very personal stories about victims and perpetrators. If you are interested in learning about the Rwanda conflict, I'd recommend both books.
As mentioned in several other reviews, this book leaves a bad taste in the reader's mouth, especially if that reader is from the US, France, Belgium, or the UK. Classifying the global response to the Rwanda genocide as a "failure of humanity" is not overstating it at all. The political hand-wringing and waffling that kept aid and forces from being delivered to Rwanda is an absolute disgrace and a condemnation of the UN, but more so of its member states, the Permanent Representatives to the Security Council first among them.
Before I read this book I had a vague understanding of the Rwanda genocide, knowing the basics --- 800,000 Tutsis were slaughtered by Hutus, encouraged by hate radio propaganda, while the world stood by. Reading this book completely opened my eyes to the political and military components of the genocide, which are fascinating, as well as the evidence of a "reverse genocide" being executed by RPF soldiers against Hutus during and after the RPF's seizure of Kigali (and the country).
Again, as several reviewers have touched on, it is the personal element of this book that makes it so rewarding. You get a first hand account of the genocide, the political maneuvering both in Rwanda and in New York, and the tensions on the ground, but you also get a naked look at, essentially, the soul of the Force Commander of the UN mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). The beginning of the book is slow, as it describes his early life and military career, but it is critical to the big picture and to the understanding of his decisions. Near the end, as he slowly unravels, having this personal, intense look into the psychological impact of the genocide upon those tasked with preventing it takes the book to a different level.
The conclusion was well devised, raising critical points and asking a lot of gut-check questions to the reader. Like so many other reviewers, I can say that reading this book has added another dimension to my perspective and my understanding. It was a task to get through, but I highly recommend it for anyone willing to make the investment. ]]>
"Slogging through geopolitics and Central African military intrigue, pushing through so I can read the Coach K olympics book"
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by Larry McMurtry
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