- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Viking UK; 1 edition (Mar 1 1996)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0670862053
- ISBN-13: 978-0670862054
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 14.2 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,807,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Fergal Keane, an Irish journalist, formerly BBC correspondent in South Africa, was sent in 1994 to cover the war in Rwanda that had left one million Tutsis dead, most of them gruesomely hacked to death by their Hutu neighbors. The power of this account lies in Keane's profound emotional shock at barely imaginable cruelty, and in the personal testimony of the survivors he interviewed. Keane also searches for meaning. Like many familiar with Africa, he rejects the too easy explanation of "tribal hatred," with its assumption that the problem is intractable and internal. He emphasizes instead the economic and class disparities driving a political bloodlust, reminiscent perhaps of revolutionary France. Even though understanding such atrocity seems out of reach, Keane bears eloquent witness to evil.
From Publishers Weekly
Winner of Britain's Orwell Prize for best political book of 1995, this searing, impassioned eyewitness account of the genocide of Rwanda's Tutsi minority by Hutu extremists dispels a number of media-sustained myths surrounding the slaughter in 1994 of a million people. BBC reporter and documentary filmmaker Keane saw absolutely no evidence to support the widely held belief that the Tutsis?who once comprised Rwanda's ruling class, abetted by German and Belgian colonialists?are lighter-skinned than Hutus. Contrary to the view that mutual hatred between tribes spontaneously erupted into irrational violence, he demonstrates that the killings were planned well in advance by a clique close to Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana. Bitterly resentful of the prospect of sharing power with the Tutsis, this clique created its own civilian militia and mounted a virulent propaganda campaign scapegoating Tutsis. The principal architects of the genocide found a haven in Zaire and Tanzania. Blaming the U.S., the European Community and the U.N. for failing to halt mass murder, Keane calls on the international community to assist Rwanda's new government, formed after the death of Habyarimana in a plane crash in April 1994.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
The road south is narrow and endless. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
The road south is narrow and endless. Read the first page
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
fails on many fronts,
By
This review is from: Season Of Blood A Rwandan Journey (Paperback)
As one of the earlier books written on the tragic subject of the genocide Keane's book might seem acceptable. His depiction of the suffering and death is powerful and forceful and leaves little to the imagination. The book, in my opinion, is well-intentioned but ends up being narcissistic. It seems to be more about the author's story of himself. I found certain passages and comments to be indicative of white privilage, ethnocentrism, demeaning and condescending. As far as understanding the genocide I would suggest other books, especially Human Rights Watch's "Leave None to tell the Story". If you are interested in first person experiences I would recommend Gourevitch's "We Regret to inform you"...an excellent book and L General Romeo Dallaire's book "Shake Hands with the Devil"...an incredible book by an exceptional human being. There are many good books on the subject. If you are interested in Rwanda and plan to read more than one book I would suggest passing on Keane's book. I would go with Gourevitch for a similar but much more profound and humane approach.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Deeply Touching and Moving,
By Caleb Liu (Singapore) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Season Of Blood A Rwandan Journey (Paperback)
I began developing an intense interest in the Rwandan genocide recently, after reading various feature articules and op-ed pieces in the press commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the tragedy. There were countless examinations of how the genocide came about, there were merciless condemnations on the International Community's inaction as well as numerous examinations of Rwanda 10 years after the crisis. This book is different from that in at its heart is doesn't seek to ask why, it isn't a strict cross-examination but because it is such a deeply personal account, it manages to transcend many of these editorials and truly bring home the scale and tragedy of the massacres.Fergal Keane writes with a clarity and economy and an unerring eye for detail that is undoubtedly borne of his vast experience as an award winning journalist. He is not one to mince words, nor waste them and this book is a powerful and intense account as a result. But where this book really grabs hold is the way in which Keane confronts his own personal demons and reflects on how his time in Rwanda has left him deeply scarred. It is the deeply moving way in which we see him confront, internalize and eventually deal with the tragedy and its aftermath that sets this account apart. This is a book that should be read by everyone. It is a testament to the tragedy of how hate can drive humanity to unspeakable barbarism. It will shock you, haunt you and move you immensely.
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most stunning books about Rwanda!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Season Of Blood A Rwandan Journey (Paperback)
I couldn't put this book down, it was so engrossing and filled with the words only an eye-witness could write. The author's experience in Rwanda right before the genocide of more than a million people is both insightful and amazing. There is no better book on the subject! This is better than any novel horror story, this is real life; this is REALITY! The horrors that Africa has seen as a nation go beyond most American's comprehension and the Rwanda tragedy is no exception. A gripping tale emerges from the pages of this book and does not let you go. Open this book with caution - once read, the contents will refuse to leave your mind.
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