Scan barcode
liberrydude's review against another edition
2.0
This book is more about Paul Kagame than Rwanda. Kagame is a remarkable man but I'm left wondering if what he is building will all come falling down. He is no Nelson Mandela. I see the same pattern of violence coming again due to his authoritarian leadership and stifling of dissent. His plan or Vision 2020 is in effect and his final term as president under the constitution will expire in 2017. He has been in power since 1995 or so. Will he become another Mugabe? This book is really hagiography. Not until the final chapters do we meet some different perspectives on what life is like in Rwanda. The one guy who inspired me was Gerard Sina who we meet on page 319. Everything is rosey in Rwanda as long as you agree with Paul Kagame. My friend in Rwanda loves the country and its people and I wanted to embrace this book but after reading it, I'm fearful for their future.
marthabohlale's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.0
The Rwanda Genocide occurred from April to July of 1994. Around half a million people (possibly more) identifying as Tutsi (as well as some Twa and Hutu that were sympathetic) were murdered by Hutu militias. There were also a lot who were injured horrifically from machete attacks that were meant to kill but did not. There was a lot of sexual violence that occurred as well, to both women and children. A lot of this was brought about the civil war and ensuing power vacuum. The trauma that the country experienced was deep, and lasted far longer than the 100 days in which the genocide took place. Many are living with post traumatic stress as well as physical impairments from wounds.
I did a little googling while reading this book, and as recently as 2018, more mass graves were discovered. Two, in fact, were found near the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Scholarly estimates say around 600,000 people were killed, but many believe the number is closer to 800,000. It is terrible to think about these people laying in unidentified graves, their families not knowing what happened to them or where they are. Some are being identified through DNA efforts, and some from clothing remnants or personal effects. There are still visible effects from the genocide, such as bullet holes in buildings and physical scars on people, which serve as constant reminders of the horrors that so many faced.
The author of this book traveled all over Rwanda as a foreign correspondent. His efforts to convey the trauma of a people were done in a way that makes the reader understand the motives behind this genocide and the horrors the people lived through. I doubt a lot of us think about what it must take to recover from genocide, and focus on infrastructure. People often fix roads, power grids, and buildings as essential and visible signs of recovery. The political and governmental structures also must change, which is not something in the forefront of a lot of minds. Plus, how does the government handle thousands of people who have suffered and lost loved ones? The book was really well researched and well written, giving a decent picture of what Rwanda was like both pre and post genocide. There is a lot of information about key figures in Rwanda and their efforts to rebuild. This book is currently available on the Audible Plus catalog, which was nice because it was in my Wish List and this allowed me to use my credit on something else. I very much enjoyed this book, and it was a great compliment to the other books I have read on this subject. I am always happy to learn more.
I did a little googling while reading this book, and as recently as 2018, more mass graves were discovered. Two, in fact, were found near the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Scholarly estimates say around 600,000 people were killed, but many believe the number is closer to 800,000. It is terrible to think about these people laying in unidentified graves, their families not knowing what happened to them or where they are. Some are being identified through DNA efforts, and some from clothing remnants or personal effects. There are still visible effects from the genocide, such as bullet holes in buildings and physical scars on people, which serve as constant reminders of the horrors that so many faced.
The author of this book traveled all over Rwanda as a foreign correspondent. His efforts to convey the trauma of a people were done in a way that makes the reader understand the motives behind this genocide and the horrors the people lived through. I doubt a lot of us think about what it must take to recover from genocide, and focus on infrastructure. People often fix roads, power grids, and buildings as essential and visible signs of recovery. The political and governmental structures also must change, which is not something in the forefront of a lot of minds. Plus, how does the government handle thousands of people who have suffered and lost loved ones? The book was really well researched and well written, giving a decent picture of what Rwanda was like both pre and post genocide. There is a lot of information about key figures in Rwanda and their efforts to rebuild. This book is currently available on the Audible Plus catalog, which was nice because it was in my Wish List and this allowed me to use my credit on something else. I very much enjoyed this book, and it was a great compliment to the other books I have read on this subject. I am always happy to learn more.
isering's review against another edition
3.0
Kinzer gives Kagame the first and last word in his book, and that pretty much sums it up. If you want to read a book on Kagame apologetics (i.e. a history of the genocide, plus a whole lot of vague justifications of Kagame's regime), this is the book for you. Someone else wrote they could see why Kagame would justify his actions, but not why Kinzer would, and I completely agree - why write "Kagame probably committed serious human rights violations" and then completely change topic? Does he not think we can handle it? There's a nuanced assessment to be made (is a 'benevolent dictator' ultimately worth it?); this is not it. I assume the reason Kagame gave him so much of his time is because he's pro-regime. I'll try to read something from the other perspective now (someone recommended "God sleeps in Rwanda").
farkle's review against another edition
4.0
The power of fear, anger, and hatred that one person can hold within themself and put into action is horrific. That same power for forgiveness,tolerance, and compassion is awe inspiring. This book explores both the horrors of the past and the awesome stories of recovery in Rwanda.
bobuva's review against another edition
5.0
Being my first book on Rwanda, I learned a lot about not just the incredible transformation that President Paul Kagame is orchestrating in that country, but enough about its twentieth century history to understand the damage done by the colonial powers, Belgium and France. Throughout the book are candid quotes from Kagame explaining his view of what Rwanda needs to become a developed nation. Kinzer also covers some of the backlash to the authoritarianism of the Rwanda government, although he generally defends the president because of the unique circumstances in recovering from genocide.
More...