Radio Congo: Signals of Hope from Africa's Deadliest War - Softcover

Ben Rawlence

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1851689273 ISBN 13: 9781851689279

Publisher: Oneworld Publications, 2012

Synopsis

Brash hustlers, sinister colonels, resilient refugees, and intrepid radio hosts: meet the future of Congo While poring over dusty photographs of colonial Congo, Ben Rawlence stumbled upon the image of a lost city a glistening metropolis fuelled by tin and European capital. Today, that city, Manono, lies inside the Triangle of Death, an area rarely reached by outsiders since war broke out in Congo more than a decade ago. Rawlence, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, set out to gather news of Manono and of Congo's uneasy peace. Rather than taking the direct flight suggested by aid workers and mercenaries, he travels by foot, bike, and boat, taking his time to meet the people who are making a new life in one of the world's most dangerous places. We meet Colonel Ibrahim, a guerrilla turned army officer; Benjamin, the kindly father of the most terrifying Mai Mai warlord; the Lebanese cousins Mohammed and Mohammed, young tin traders making their fortune; and the talk-show host Mama Christine, who dispenses counsel and courage in equal measure. Along the way, Rawlence hears the real stories of Congo, during and after the war, and finds beacons of hope for the future.

About this title

Review:

'A compelling debut.' --The Bookseller ‘Intimate and entertaining portraits’ The Economist

‘Intimate and entertaining portraits’ The Economist 'impressive [and] captivating’ Business Day Live
‘impressive [and] captivating’ Business Day Live

'Lucid, Laconic, and elegantly written.' --Michela Wrong, author of In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz

'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.' --Adam Hochschild, author of King Leopold's Ghost

"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 evocativedescription. But it is his closeness to the Congolese that really stands out." The Times

“Radio Congo is an unexpected broadcast of hope. [Rawlence] meets militia men, entrepreneurs, pygmies, refugees and former child soldiers and, for light relief, gets drunk with priests... and dances to east Africa's irrepressible guitar pop, bolingo... This is a much-needed introduction to a misunderstood country – and a welcome glimpse of sunshine.” Prospect

‘Very readable... Rawlence writes in a beautiful lyrical style, whether he's introducing us to some of the eccentric characters he meets along the way or whether describing the scenes he encounters.’ We Love This Book ‘Rawlence is well placed... [He] doesn’t shy away from the horror, nor the devastation to the land and its people... worthwhile.’ New Internationalist

· ‘It is the stories of people Rawlence meets along the way that make Radio Congo so appealing... compelling [and] powerful... an enlightening contribution.’ Think Africa Press review

‘Vivid and lyrical... [an] important read’ Kirkus Reviews

‘Fascinating... a beautifully-written, engaging book.’ Daily Maverick

‘refreshing’

Book Description:

Brash hustlers, sinister colonels, resilient refugees, and intrepid radio hosts: meet the future of Congo

About this edition

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1851689273
• ISBN 13: 9781851689279
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320