Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...
 Honest July 16, 2008
I worked in Rwanda at the time of the genocide and then again more recently. Whatever he thinks of himself, (and in this book Romeo Dallaire is pretty, and unfairly, critical of some of his own limitations) he is thought of as a hero by the majority of Rwandans today as along with Phillipe Gaillard of the IRC, he was one of the few whites of any importance who remained in Rwanda during the attrocities. This book gives a real, but at times unintentional insight into the complete failures of the UN. Whereas Linda Melville's excellent book 'A People Betrayed' concentrates on the history of the machinations and politics, Dallaire tells it how it was, at the time, - on the ground. If he had a ghost writer, they could've make the writing slightly less amateurish, but the editor has done a great job with no irrelevances or other distractions. It is a great book to understand the problems, and to gain some hope for this country. Though not as detailed as some other commentaries, such as that by Phillip Gourevitch, you get a real sense of 'now' in the book. Amazing, as Dallaire poignantly says it took him over ten years to be sufficiently 'stable' to sit and write the book.
Essential reading June 11, 2008
I have read a number of books on Rwanda, many of them drawing from Dallaire's experience out there, but this is definitely the most useful at helping you to at least attempt to understand the timeline of events and the machinations behind the scenes that led to the genocide and the genocide itself.
This book gradually draws you in, to the point where I felt Dallaire's frustration, confusion, anger, distress and most of all idealistic faith in the UN even when faced with reality. He makes clear that all the parties involved (the RGF, the interim government, the RPF, the French, the international community and the UN) share responsibility for the failure of the world to first prevent and then stop a genocide where more people were killed per day than in the Holocaust.
One of the parts that stands out for me (amongst others) is when Dallaire has to consciously stop himself from shooting the three leaders of the Interahamwe militia when attending a meeting. Dallaire is a real person, who barely knew where Rwanda was when he first took on this mission. Nevertheless, he proved his strength of character and the depth of his morality when he chose, repeatedly, to remain in Rwanda, even when it became apparent that his mission UNAMIR and himself were little but a token gesture to help world powers absolve their guilt.
This is essential reading for all those interested in world politics and the UN, but also for those who read the biographies and autobiographies of great people. I have now recommended this book to everyone I know, more than once, because I genuinely was moved by this book.
Humanity at it's lowest May 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
As Dallaire says, "I know there is a God because I shook hands with the devil in Rwanda".
This book illustrates how the myopic and imbecilic action of a genocidal government to the indifference of the world resulted in the brutal slaughter of a people.
Dallaire's account reveal how individuals at the UN prioritised their careers and failed their own men, the Rwandese, humanity and God. The unbelievable inaction of the world and the complicit actions of countries like France will draw anger and disgust. The book also offers heart-warming accounts of bravery, innovation and goodness in the context of humanity at it's lowest.
This is the story of the threshold of human emotional endurance in the face of unimaginable horror, and the courage of a few good men. A story that should be heard by all.
Compulsory reading April 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a book all schoolchildren should read. Maybe, just maybe it could help to make the world a more tolerant place.
Dallaire was on the ground from beginning to end of the slaughter of nearly a million mostly Tutsi, Rwandans, trying to prevent a crisis with too few troops and no political support.
With harrowing detail he describes how the militant Genocidaires gained political power in the tiny, over-populated, remote African state and shows how the world, lead by a dithering UN, stood back and did nothing. Clinton says it's greatest regret. It should be. While leaving out much personal emotion from the proceedings, Dallaire describes the events' full effects in the intro, talking us through his complete emotional breakdown and his lengthy, unfinished recovery.
The reader is left with a gut wrenching feeling upon completion of this book. A book like this should never have to be written again.
the genocide the world forgot March 25, 2008
This book must be the most harrowing and honest that one will ever read about the genocide in Rwanda. Dallaire comes across a battle hardened soldier with a heart. The savagery of the killings never cease to move and anger him, yet through all of this he bonds with his men on a very human level. He emerges as a very decisive articulate, and warm person, who wants to do the right thing.
He finds himself in the impossible position of watching dreadful events in front of him unfold but is unable to stop it. He is justifiably critical of the UN, an organisation which comes across as one rife with infighting, bloated with egomaniacs so concerned with procedure and policy as to render the UN irrelevant in it's role in conflict situations.
Throughout this book, I hand to put it down on numerous occasions, for some of the events described by Dallaire moved me to sorrow and anger. I found this book more absorbing than enjoying.
Dallaires conduct reminds me of the phrase " Worse than the perpetrators were those who by the silence gave there consent" he can now go forward in life knowing that he was not one the silent majority.
|
