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meg_thebrave's review against another edition
4.0
A very well written autobiography that was both moving and informative. The way Rusesabagina weaves together his story and history with that of his country is incredible and flawless, and it is easy to see the influence of Rwanda in his words. I loved his emphasis on the power words have, how they may be the strongest weapons and tools that we have.
bobobooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
bookswithgin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Be prepared that this is a terribly dark corner of history. Growing up a child of the 90s, I feel like I was shielded from the news about Rwanda, and I'm glad this book was so informative. The author is a very brave man!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide
bluenicorn's review against another edition
3.0
It was pretty graphic, but not nearly as much as the movie (Hotel Rwanda). I think it gave me alot more insight into how the whole genocidal situation developed in the first place- the kind of details that are tricky to incorporate into a movie plot. It's just so sad in how pointless and brutal the whole thing was.
lindseypruett's review against another edition
1.0
Be careful with this story. Paul Rusesabagina is an incredibly controversial and unpopular character in Rwanda on all sides of the conflict, and not just because he's spoken out against Paul Kagame. Many Rwandese (including victims of the genocide) feel as if he exaggerated his tale in order to paint himself in the best light. For example, the idea that he was able to save lives by bribing the Interahamwe with the contents of a liquor cabinet is ludicrous. Many people believe that he was able to provide safety by carefully choosing who he took in- such as the wealthy Tutsi wives of Hutu commanders. While Rusesabagina saved many lives, nobody really knows what happened in the Milles Collines and it is possible he cannot be taken at his word. If you want accurate and corroborated books that tell the story of the genocide or its aftermath, there are much better choices. Try "We Wish to Inform you that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families" or "The Antelope's Strategy."
janiceh's review against another edition
3.0
The background information about how the Tutsi and Hutu became a separate race was very interesting, as was the political wrangling, but the actual writing and storytelling was only okay. When I finished the book I looked up what was happening to Paul Rusesabagina now and will be fascinated to follow this story. https://abcnews.go.com/International/jailed-hero-hotel-rwanda-claims-tortured-slaughterhouse-arriving/story?id=77748884
ccastle's review against another edition
5.0
I think what is most shocking to me is that something this awful could happen and the whole world could just turn their back and pretend it wasn't happening. Paul Rusesabagina is a true hero and his account on the events that took place during the Rwandan genocide shows that indeed he was scared too but yet he didn't succumb to the evil and continued to work and protect everyone he could through his words. I do recommend seeing the film Hotel Rwanda as well but this book was definitely an astonishing and quick read and I would recommend it to everyone.
pantsantspants's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in high school and it is by far one of my favorite memoirs.