Scan barcode
thebookclubmks's review
Stearns has successfully untangled the complex situation that triggered the Great War of Africa. At the center of the war is Democratic Republic of Congo (used to be Zaire), the 12th largest country with severe failure in the running of its government. The ensuing systemic, structural, and institutionalized corruption and destruction was apparent despite having one of the most outstanding natural resources in the world. The Great War of Africa involved several neighboring countries with interference from international communities, resulting not only in the great loss of civilian lives but also resources and opportunities for the benefit of the Congo itself.
The great thing about this book is not only its comprehensive coverage of the events that made this “war” but also the length that Stearns was willing to take to obtain the information directly from the parties that were usually ignored or not reached out. The content of the book can simply be summarized in one word: “tragic” because as you read it you cannot help but wonder how such atrocities could be done to another human being, especially in the 20th and 21st century.
I highly recommend you read this book to open your mind to one of the largely ignored issues in the world (although you may need a lot of patience due to many details and foreign names mentioned in the book
The great thing about this book is not only its comprehensive coverage of the events that made this “war” but also the length that Stearns was willing to take to obtain the information directly from the parties that were usually ignored or not reached out. The content of the book can simply be summarized in one word: “tragic” because as you read it you cannot help but wonder how such atrocities could be done to another human being, especially in the 20th and 21st century.
I highly recommend you read this book to open your mind to one of the largely ignored issues in the world (although you may need a lot of patience due to many details and foreign names mentioned in the book
gray_ghost's review
5.0
This book is dense but it is difficult to imagine a more compelling or succintly complete history of the Congo during the bloody closing decades of the 20th century.
bloodyfool0's review
4.0
This is a great read and surprisingly good. Many of us look at Rwanda but not the Congo which in itself is a much larger country and in diversity. My view is despite the complexity of the situation, and by the way much of it is Belgian colonial legacy, the present conundrum is afforded by the fact that the Congo possesses much natural resources which is coveted by the West. So, corruption naturally is feted out for the prizes the country has to offer. Diplomats are convinced not to interfere lest they affect the money being made in these various mines.
Sad, but the world's attention is paid less to these parts of the world than they should be. This author has done a remarkable job in his research and understanding of history and the players involved. A very easy to read book in my opinion, not littered with too many characters and complexities. The mix is just right to get a grip of the story.
Sad, but the world's attention is paid less to these parts of the world than they should be. This author has done a remarkable job in his research and understanding of history and the players involved. A very easy to read book in my opinion, not littered with too many characters and complexities. The mix is just right to get a grip of the story.
margaretefg's review
4.0
This book is a clear, detailed account of the first and second Congo wars (1996-2003.) Stearns includes many specific character portraits, including famous people and ordinary civilians and soldiers. He teases out the international aspects of the conflict, which made it Africa's Great War. While he doesn't oversimplify, the book makes the multi-faceted aspects of the conflict intelligible and raises questions about what's ahead for Congo and how the US and European countries action and inaction has contributed to human rights abuses and poor governance in Congo.
eelsmac's review
4.0
Very dense, but an excellent crash course on politics surround recent power changes in the DR Congo and the interweaving of African continental and international politics and economics in the Congo Wars. Sometimes the backstories of different politicians can feel a little tangential and can confuse from the overall narrative, but overall an excellent read. If we were allowed to give partial stars my rating would be a 4.25 or 4.5.
mbondlamberty's review
4.0
Hard long read yet there are definitely parts that move along (perhaps because you keep hoping for something good to come of things) and it is incredibly informative. This is a clear-eyed examination of events leading to conditions in the Congo (stops in 2010, would love to see an updated version with the recent electoral results put into context) both from internal and increasingly from external causes as well. You might want to be near a search engine while reading things to see some of the things being described (even now I am trying without success to find/remember the name of the town where foreign soldiers took down a local display that had been there for years, without success). Ultimately a disheartening tale of our complicity in the brutality inflicted upon millions.