mennonot's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit that the cover of this book made it difficult to pick up. Do I really need to read more about violence in Colombia? But within the first few pages I was drawn in by the warmth, humanity and readability of Kirk's writing.
She tells the history of Colombia from La Violencia on-wards the beginning of Uribe's term through the stories of the people who have lived it as well as an astute eye to the way the US government has fueled the conflict here. She clearly names the cycles of failed repression and failed diplomacy while honoring the stories of hope. Indeed, the stories human rights workers are front and she paints a rich portrait of the incredible sacrifice and strength made by Colombians who stand up against repression. For over 10 years as a Human Rights Watch worker she experienced first hand the way the Colombian military targets human rights workers, both Colombian and international, by labeling them the unarmed wing of the FARC and ELN (the two main Colombian guerilla groups).
I read this book over four days while I was accompanying a community in Colombia threatened by the same forces of wealth and power that Kirk lays bear. Her narrative rings true to what I saw during my time there and what I've seen on previous trips to Colombia. This book is a must read for anyone in the US who cares about how our foreign policy impacts other countries and especially for those with an interest in Latin America.
Finally, this is the only non-fiction book I remember reading that has moved me to tears at the ending.
She tells the history of Colombia from La Violencia on-wards the beginning of Uribe's term through the stories of the people who have lived it as well as an astute eye to the way the US government has fueled the conflict here. She clearly names the cycles of failed repression and failed diplomacy while honoring the stories of hope. Indeed, the stories human rights workers are front and she paints a rich portrait of the incredible sacrifice and strength made by Colombians who stand up against repression. For over 10 years as a Human Rights Watch worker she experienced first hand the way the Colombian military targets human rights workers, both Colombian and international, by labeling them the unarmed wing of the FARC and ELN (the two main Colombian guerilla groups).
I read this book over four days while I was accompanying a community in Colombia threatened by the same forces of wealth and power that Kirk lays bear. Her narrative rings true to what I saw during my time there and what I've seen on previous trips to Colombia. This book is a must read for anyone in the US who cares about how our foreign policy impacts other countries and especially for those with an interest in Latin America.
Finally, this is the only non-fiction book I remember reading that has moved me to tears at the ending.
joehiller's review
read many year ago. formative for my understanding of the political and human rights situation in Colombia. read in Colombia, in Barrancabermeja, while staying with christian peacemaker teams.
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