We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families
by Philip Gourevitch (1998)
This is probably the most popular and accessible book written on Rwandan genocide, a ’smaller canvas’ book that would be a good introduction. It’s not as detached as Prunier’s, but never falling into the trap of so-called ‘philantrophic’ writing (where people are often portrayed as some sort of helpless, docile ‘unfortunates’ whom you are deigning yourself to help and should pat yourself on the back for). If you want more personal accounts by some (sometimes key) personnels (including Paul Rusesabagina of Hotel Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and just random people), read this one.
Tags:Africa, genocide, history, Rwanda, social science
Africa, Gourevitch, Philip, history, Recommended, Rwanda
January 21, 2006 @ 10:40 am | 1 Comment
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March 19th, 2006at 11:52 pm(#)
[...] It delves into “common man”’s feelings on the uneasy co-existence between Hutus and Tutsis, providing more intimate insights such as the role of soccer, cabarets, women, neighbourhood, religions, and insidious propagandastic dogmas, asking more questions than giving answers. Although a bit too simplistically dichotomical in the Hutu/Tutsi division, it’s a good book that gives specific perspectives from the common perpetrators, giving closer glimpses to their daily lives and routines, and would make an integral addition to the “bigger-picture” books like Gourevitch’s and Prunier’s. [...]