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lindseypruett's review
1.0
Be careful with this story. Paul Rusesabagina is an incredibly controversial and unpopular character in Rwanda on all sides of the conflict, and not just because he's spoken out against Paul Kagame. Many Rwandese (including victims of the genocide) feel as if he exaggerated his tale in order to paint himself in the best light. For example, the idea that he was able to save lives by bribing the Interahamwe with the contents of a liquor cabinet is ludicrous. Many people believe that he was able to provide safety by carefully choosing who he took in- such as the wealthy Tutsi wives of Hutu commanders. While Rusesabagina saved many lives, nobody really knows what happened in the Milles Collines and it is possible he cannot be taken at his word. If you want accurate and corroborated books that tell the story of the genocide or its aftermath, there are much better choices. Try "We Wish to Inform you that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families" or "The Antelope's Strategy."
janiceh's review
3.0
The background information about how the Tutsi and Hutu became a separate race was very interesting, as was the political wrangling, but the actual writing and storytelling was only okay. When I finished the book I looked up what was happening to Paul Rusesabagina now and will be fascinated to follow this story. https://abcnews.go.com/International/jailed-hero-hotel-rwanda-claims-tortured-slaughterhouse-arriving/story?id=77748884
ccastle's review
5.0
I think what is most shocking to me is that something this awful could happen and the whole world could just turn their back and pretend it wasn't happening. Paul Rusesabagina is a true hero and his account on the events that took place during the Rwandan genocide shows that indeed he was scared too but yet he didn't succumb to the evil and continued to work and protect everyone he could through his words. I do recommend seeing the film Hotel Rwanda as well but this book was definitely an astonishing and quick read and I would recommend it to everyone.
megankhein's review
4.0
paul rusesabagina is pretty incredible. hearing the story of hotel rwanda from the man himself was really interesting. he himself says the movie is accurate, but i still learned a lot of new things about his story.
blue_squishie's review
3.0
I was trying to expand my non-fiction horizons last year. This was the autobiography of the man who inspired the movie Hotel Rwanda. It's kind of a gut-renching recollection of the Rwandan Genocide, but incredibly moving. I could've sworn I had bought it, but it doesn't appear to be on my bookshelf...*shrug*
thepyrreview's review
5.0
Absolutely incredible. The line "I should have recognized a Rwandan no when I heard it," absolutely tore me to pieces. Should be required reading in schools and by everyone who was alive during this horrific event in 1994.
jwood1977's review
5.0
A remarkable book about the man who is fictionalized in the movie Hotel Rwanda. This is him in his own words. He saved 1,268 people from the genocide that was going on in his country, while leaders of our government and the UN stood by and did nothing. This was only 22 years ago. I'm always in awe of people who survive horrific situations and retain their human dignity. Many could learn from this man's courage in the face of true injustice. This book will stay with me for a long time.