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Published by Oneworld Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
Brash hustlers, sinister colonels, resilient refugees, and intrepid radio hosts: meet the future of Congo
In this extraordinary debut – called ‘gripping’ by The Times of London – Ben Rawlence sets out to gather the news from a forgotten town deep in Congo’s ‘silent quarter’ where peace is finally being built after two decades of civil war and devastation. Ignoring the advice of locals, reporters, and mercenaries, he travels by foot, bike, and boat, introducing us to Colonel Ibrahim, a guerrilla turned army officer; Benjamin, the kindly father of the most terrifying Mai Mai warlord; the cousins Mohammed and Mohammed, young tin traders hoping to make their fortune; and talk show host Mama Christine, who dispenses counsel and courage in equal measure. From the ‘blood cheese’ of Goma to the decaying city of Manono, Rawlence uncovers the real stories of life during the war and finds hope for the future.
In this extraordinary debut – called ‘gripping’ by The Times of London – Ben Rawlence sets out to gather the news from a forgotten town deep in Congo’s ‘silent quarter’ where peace is finally being built after two decades of civil war and devastation. Ignoring the advice of locals, reporters, and mercenaries, he travels by foot, bike, and boat, introducing us to Colonel Ibrahim, a guerrilla turned army officer; Benjamin, the kindly father of the most terrifying Mai Mai warlord; the cousins Mohammed and Mohammed, young tin traders hoping to make their fortune; and talk show host Mama Christine, who dispenses counsel and courage in equal measure. From the ‘blood cheese’ of Goma to the decaying city of Manono, Rawlence uncovers the real stories of life during the war and finds hope for the future.
Product Details
- Publisher: Oneworld Publications (June 1, 2012)
- Length: 320 pages
- ISBN13: 9781780740959
Raves and Reviews
"A compelling debut."
– The Bookseller
"Rawlence gets under Congo's skin… He makes a self-effacing guide with a necessary sense of the ridiculous, an eye for the telling detail and a talent for evocative description. But it is his closeness to the Congolese that really stands out."
– The Times
“Intrepid and undaunted by hazards that would send most journalists scurrying back to the bar of their hotel, Rawlence gets far deeper into the life of this war-torn country than most.”
– Adam Hochschild - author of Bury the Chains, Half the Way Home and King Leopold's Ghost
"Lucid, laconic, and elegantly written.”
– Michela Wrong - author of In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Radio Congo eBook 9781780740959
