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justicepirate's review against another edition
3.0
If you are looking for a book of statistics and information and history specifically about the wars that have been currently going on in Africa, this is not the book for you. I think that is what I was hoping for a little bit, honestly.
This book is mainly about how in learning information about the goings-on of the wars in Africa, when will we be willing to say, "Enough is enough!" When would we be willing to see a change or a stop to these wars that are murdering and destroying the lives of thousands of families and people?
Basically, John Prendergast and Don Cheadle converse a bit together throughout the book and they also write some accounts of people who have survived the atrocities of war in Africa and who are doing something to bring a chance in their own communities in Africa, those who have been effected by learning about the wars that they are actually doing something to bring change in America or the countries they live in outside of Africa as well. There are some interviews with a bunch of famous people and I think there was more of that then the other stuff, which I wanted more of the other stuff when reading these accounts. There were some great stories mentioned by these stars though.
There was a lot of talk about violent acts done to people, so be prepared to "hear" horrific things while reading this.
This book is mainly about how in learning information about the goings-on of the wars in Africa, when will we be willing to say, "Enough is enough!" When would we be willing to see a change or a stop to these wars that are murdering and destroying the lives of thousands of families and people?
Basically, John Prendergast and Don Cheadle converse a bit together throughout the book and they also write some accounts of people who have survived the atrocities of war in Africa and who are doing something to bring a chance in their own communities in Africa, those who have been effected by learning about the wars that they are actually doing something to bring change in America or the countries they live in outside of Africa as well. There are some interviews with a bunch of famous people and I think there was more of that then the other stuff, which I wanted more of the other stuff when reading these accounts. There were some great stories mentioned by these stars though.
There was a lot of talk about violent acts done to people, so be prepared to "hear" horrific things while reading this.
emiged's review against another edition
4.0
Focusing on three unspeakably evil things happening on a massive scale in Africa (genocide, rape, and child conscription), Mr. Prendergast and Mr. Cheadle highlight "Upstanders," people who are making a difference. These Upstanders include American celebrities as well as practically anonymous individuals in Congo or Uganda. They are students and journalists, politicians and activists, actors and medical professionals, who refused to wring their hands over the atrocities and turn away. They decided to do something, whether raising funds, educating others, or visiting these hot spots personally.
The big revelation to me was how much of the conflict, and by extension these gross human rights violations, is funded through sales of natural resources in the country: gold, tin, tungsten, tantalum. Not only are the mines often worked by forced labor, but the armed militia forces that control the mines smuggle the metals out of the country for sale to companies that use them in the manufacture of electronics. It's likely that the cell phone I use every day and the computer I'm typing on right now contain metals from those mines in Congo. Like blood diamonds that funded the conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia years ago, it's essential that the source of these minerals is widely known so consumers can demand better choices from the companies who purchase and use them. If the funding dries up, the wars will be less profitable and harder to continue.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
The big revelation to me was how much of the conflict, and by extension these gross human rights violations, is funded through sales of natural resources in the country: gold, tin, tungsten, tantalum. Not only are the mines often worked by forced labor, but the armed militia forces that control the mines smuggle the metals out of the country for sale to companies that use them in the manufacture of electronics. It's likely that the cell phone I use every day and the computer I'm typing on right now contain metals from those mines in Congo. Like blood diamonds that funded the conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia years ago, it's essential that the source of these minerals is widely known so consumers can demand better choices from the companies who purchase and use them. If the funding dries up, the wars will be less profitable and harder to continue.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
katymhampton's review
3.0
Great content, although I wasn't able to get used to the way it was laid out with the dialog between the two authors.
oursuburbanfarm's review
4.0
This definitely isn't my typical read, but for what it was (A book inspiring activism in Africa), I did enjoy it. It taught me a lot about what is doing on in Darfur, the Sudan, and the Congo. Things I have heard about but never imagined the depth of. For someone who wants to read something that is non-fiction and educational, I would definitely suggest this book. It was an easy read and very motivating to hear about others who have said "enough!" and made a difference.
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