books @ cc.

Why the Truth Doesn’t Always Come Out When the UN Goes In
by Linda Polman (1997)

( Levi? I think not. )

With its common horrifying-slash-absurd images of “humanitarian” movements gone wrong (as always), you get the feeling of someone who’s only dipped her toe on the beach but saying that she’s wrestled with sharks in the ocean. Her main point, i.e. that “the UN” is not an independent, all-powerful entity but one whose goals, fundings and decisions are determined by Member States (often heavily slanted to the Fabulous Fifteen (or Five)), seems like something any considerably well-read, well-informed (or just critical) person should know that I wonder how she could still get bewildered by it, let alone writing gratuitous sob stories about feeding malnourished and wounded victimes in Rwanda while humming “We are the world.”

The Rwandan Genocide: The Killers Speak
by Jean Hatzfeld (2005)

Shying away from close analysis of the big picture, Hatzfeld instead focuses on the hands and foot of the genocide, i.e. common men and a few local leaders. The interviews are compiled into chapters, each focusing on specific aspects, interspersed with some overviews and notes by Hatzfeld.

History of a Genocide
by Gérard Prunier (1995)

Meticulously researched, elaborating history and politics of pre-colonial Rwanda, written in a “scientifically” detached tone, with the author most of the time addressing himself in third person (except in the occasion of Opération Turquoise where he was involved). Prunier is unapologetically, scathingly sardonic towards France, his home country, who undeniably contributed majorly in the further poisoning of an already disastrous solution.

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.