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thehoserpolice's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
An insight self-reflection on his own career during and post-Rwanda, Dallaire explores his own thoughts, emotions, and experiences with PTSD. He paint a vivid picture of what PTSD is and how it affects people on an individual and communal-level. The book ends with an inspiring call to action to help change things for the better.
fionacashell's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book directly after finishing Shake Hands with the Devil as a way of trying to find closure to Dallaire’s story within the wider history of the Rwandan genocide. This was a good choice as this book starts almost exactly where Shake Hands ends, with Dallaire leaving Rwanda. The book then follows his career for next 20 years, detailing both his professional accomplishments intertwined with his struggle with PTSD.
What I found, as another reviewer so beautifully put it, is that there is no “after” for Dallaire. The story chronicles the debilitating nature of PTSD, especially in the mid-90s amidst little understanding of the illness and wider cuts to veteran support. As with Shake Hands, the book portrays the brutality of the genocide (this time with an added emphasis on sexual violence) as well as Dallaire’s suicidal ideation/attempts.
The last chapter of the book lost me a little, as from my 2021 vantage point I am unable to match Dallaire’s optimism that Canada’s police as well as its military would serve as good instructors for forces in other nations. There is a contrast between the author’s own idealistic regard for military life and the information that has since become more prominent regarding sexual harassment within the military. Based on what we know of Dallaire’s family, his own lived experiences, and the year the book was published, I can understand and respect why he holds this mindset without adopting it myself.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Dallaire’s career and the realities of undiagnosed mental illness.
What I found, as another reviewer so beautifully put it, is that there is no “after” for Dallaire. The story chronicles the debilitating nature of PTSD, especially in the mid-90s amidst little understanding of the illness and wider cuts to veteran support. As with Shake Hands, the book portrays the brutality of the genocide (this time with an added emphasis on sexual violence) as well as Dallaire’s suicidal ideation/attempts.
The last chapter of the book lost me a little, as from my 2021 vantage point I am unable to match Dallaire’s optimism that Canada’s police as well as its military would serve as good instructors for forces in other nations. There is a contrast between the author’s own idealistic regard for military life and the information that has since become more prominent regarding sexual harassment within the military. Based on what we know of Dallaire’s family, his own lived experiences, and the year the book was published, I can understand and respect why he holds this mindset without adopting it myself.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Dallaire’s career and the realities of undiagnosed mental illness.
kfournier's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
daniellekat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
3.75
Powerful and emotional. This was an incredible first person account of PTSD. Well written and easy enough to follow, I did find parts a bit redundant/repetitive. It's difficult to judge this harshly given the openness with which the author discusses his injury, but there were certain political and military focused aspects that didn't sit well with me (as a civilian Canadian). Overall, I'm glad to have read it but I feel the need to follow up with my own external research to better ground my thoughts on this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Genocide, and Gun violence
Moderate: Grief, Police brutality, Racism, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Car accident, Alcohol, and Colonisation
mactammonty's review against another edition
5.0
Roméo Dallaire is a national treasure. He has been fighting for our veterans and others for years. He has been honest and outspoken about his experiences. We are very lucky to have him.
His books are important to understanding what military life is really like for our soldiers. I suggest that everyone educate themselves about what PTSD is. It does not affect just those who go to war but those at home as well. [b:Girls Need Not Apply: Field Notes from the Forces|43270067|Girls Need Not Apply Field Notes from the Forces|Kelly S. Thompson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559623820l/43270067._SX50_.jpg|67154604] by [a:Kelly S. Thompson|15287552|Kelly S. Thompson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] is another that discusses PTSD in our forces.
It is time that we support those who represent us around the world. They are giving their mental and physical health to do so. To less than helping them regain it is inhumane.
His books are important to understanding what military life is really like for our soldiers. I suggest that everyone educate themselves about what PTSD is. It does not affect just those who go to war but those at home as well. [b:Girls Need Not Apply: Field Notes from the Forces|43270067|Girls Need Not Apply Field Notes from the Forces|Kelly S. Thompson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559623820l/43270067._SX50_.jpg|67154604] by [a:Kelly S. Thompson|15287552|Kelly S. Thompson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] is another that discusses PTSD in our forces.
It is time that we support those who represent us around the world. They are giving their mental and physical health to do so. To less than helping them regain it is inhumane.
daytonasplendor's review against another edition
3.0
a good, important book about very difficult subjects (genocide, PTSD, suicide). definitely less clinical than i was expecting. the personal revelations and visceral descriptions of it all were at once encouraging (his passion and perseverance) and heartbreaking (holy shit, the worst of humanity).
an inspiring and enlightening read; quick and easy to read from a time invested standpoint, not easy in terms of content.
an inspiring and enlightening read; quick and easy to read from a time invested standpoint, not easy in terms of content.
the_archer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
lindsayw's review against another edition
4.0
There's a moment at the end of this book when Romeo Dallaire asks the reader whether he will be condemned for how far he has fallen because of his PTSD or whether his experiences will help to engender empathy. That anyone could choose the former is unthinkable when the answer is so clearly the latter. Dallaire is heartbreakingly, brutally honest in describing his experiences; it would be almost impossible not to feel moved by his account. I also very much think that the use of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner as a parallel for his experiences was expertly done; this book perfectly describes Dallaire's albatross. His work to help others when he is still struggling so much himself is admirable and inspiring and the sheer volume of important work he has taken on is staggering.
I'm glad I re-read [b:Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda|215758|Shake Hands with the Devil The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda|Roméo Dallaire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438841634l/215758._SX50_.jpg|2197374] before delving in, as it enriches one's understanding of Dallaire's torment. Against all odds, Dallaire manages to end on a hopeful note, offering a glimpse of the "first light" that he so desperately seeks.
I'm glad I re-read [b:Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda|215758|Shake Hands with the Devil The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda|Roméo Dallaire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1438841634l/215758._SX50_.jpg|2197374] before delving in, as it enriches one's understanding of Dallaire's torment. Against all odds, Dallaire manages to end on a hopeful note, offering a glimpse of the "first light" that he so desperately seeks.
cbroughton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
As anticipated, this short memoir takes a vulnerable look at Dallaire’s struggle to return to life after witnessing the horrors of genocide. In an effort to cope with his injury, Dallaire becomes a “workaholic” and continues to fight for the people of Rwanda, and child soldiers around the world.
Although he does discuss his ongoing battle with PTSD, this memoir mostly focuses on his ongoing projects/advocacy as a means to cope.
While I enjoy reading about the ongoing work being done, I was honestly hoping that this memoir would focus more on the psychological/psychological aspects of PSTD itself. I had different expectations of what this memoir was going to be, and therefore found myself a little disappointed.
It should go without saying that readers are going to find themselves emotional and uncomfortable. There is a lot of overlap with his previous novel “Shake Hands With the Devil” to add context for those less familiar with the Rwanda genocide. That being said, there is a lot of horrifying and graphic material written within these pages. Read with care.
Although he does discuss his ongoing battle with PTSD, this memoir mostly focuses on his ongoing projects/advocacy as a means to cope.
While I enjoy reading about the ongoing work being done, I was honestly hoping that this memoir would focus more on the psychological/psychological aspects of PSTD itself. I had different expectations of what this memoir was going to be, and therefore found myself a little disappointed.
It should go without saying that readers are going to find themselves emotional and uncomfortable. There is a lot of overlap with his previous novel “Shake Hands With the Devil” to add context for those less familiar with the Rwanda genocide. That being said, there is a lot of horrifying and graphic material written within these pages. Read with care.