But, despite himself, Peterson does seem to have encountered something of the spirit of Somalia and he does recognize that Somalis stand very much on their own pedestal. Not a bad read.


As an African I found this book to be way above par   March 8, 2001
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is an excellent book that trully takes you to heart of suffering in Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda. I was born and raised in Kenya during the years of the famine in Somalia but never quite understood what was happening and just how much people were suffering. This book does an excellent job at depicting the images of a war ravaged country and also at how greedy and corrupt africans can be. Speaking as an African reading this novel made me feel ashamed, ashamed because what he writes is the truth. This is an excellent book and I do not doubt that change will only come to Africa once the people make up their mind to elect leaders who will remember that that is what they are.....leaders!


A 26-buck-journalism-lesson worth taking.   February 28, 2001
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I was wandering around the african section of a very known bookstore, and i got across a big, hard-covered book. I decided to check it up so maybe i could buy it. Minutes later i was apalled by the narrative and the facts he mentioned throughout the pages i read. Now that i have read the whole book, i find it amazing since it gives deep, factual and unbiased background over many wars that goes undercovered by the big media. In a way, it's the portrait of a culture, of a civilization being ravaged and terminated by war and its allies, the famine, the corruption, and the plagues. It's a brutal portrait, also, about how the western misconceptions over other cultures can cause such enourmous fiascos, like Somalia or Rwanda, or how the twisted faith and the intolerance can bring Sudan into a ever-destructive spin-round. This book is a must for any journalism student and/or someone who would like to know about Africa and its recent history.


Me Against My Brother   December 22, 2000
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This book was awesome. Peterson brings to life the harrowing history of life in Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda. I value this book because told through the eyes of a war correspondent the reader gets a glimpse of what these countries are really like and the politics involved in running them. This book also increased my knowledge of foreign affairs in these countries and what humanitarian intervention is all about. The last I heard Peterson was covering Russia-I can not wait until he brings out another book; I am sure it will be as riveting as this one. I highly recommend this book to everyone.


Reality Check   December 6, 2000
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is fascinating reading regarding some of the most intense struggles and war zones of 1990's Africa which the author experienced first hand. What I appreciate about the book is that Scott Peterson brings deeper insight into the war theatres by being involved with those at ground zero. This book is a reality check for the Western world, so that we may fully see some of the critical problems in Africa. Hopefully this will bring about some sort of understanding of how terribly sheltered we are from Africa's situation. This book helps to bring this world disparity out of the darkness and ultimately establishes a good forum for us all to address Africa more critically. Only by caring enough about the crucial situations there, like Scott Peterson has, can we at least try to frame Africa in our world-view; Sadly you'd have to admit that most westerners are extremely detached from the widespread sufferings in Africa. Scott Peterson's perspective is equally compassionate as it is dispassionate. Perhaps that is the sort of mind required to live at the frontlines. Whatever the case, his perspective has brought me inside the struggles of Africa. We all should try to see beyond our comforts and try to be concerned about what is going on over there. This book will help to educate you.