Erik Larson—author of #1 bestseller In the Garden of Beasts—intertwines the true tale of the 1893 World's Fair and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling; Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newly discovered history and the thrills of the best fiction.
#535028 in Books Deborah Scroggins 2004-02-10 2004-02-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.10 x 5.20l; .90 #File Name: 0375703772416 pagesDeborah ScrogginsHistoryAfrica
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Would more seriousness lead to a better outcome? I think notBy PracAdemicDeborah Scroggins wades into the complexities of Sudanese politics and armed strife and makes them digestible through her own personal story and that of Emma; a young British women who is deeply attracted to Africa and African men. It should be required reading for any Westerner who embraces a cause (Darfur; Palestine; the Arab Spring; etc.) to get an understanding of how very little we often understand and how our presence distorts and/or feeds into decades old conflicts. For the most part; Scroggins is quite clear sighted; but gets a bit muddled in her critique of the international aid machine. On the one hand; she criticizes it for lack of long term commitment and seriousness; but on the other finds fault with almost everything it does...so would doing wrong stuff for longer; with more seriousness lead to a better outcome? I think not. Emma's husband; Riek Machar; continues to be a major player in the ongoing conflict in South Sudan - going on for three decades now - along with John Garang; his main rival. For them; civil war isn't something to be resolved; it is what fuels their power.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An example of "what not to do" while working in developmentBy AbigailI work in international development; and this book is basically a handbook of how not to behave while working abroad in an aid or NGO environment. I don't want to be too hard on poor Emma; since she passed away some years ago; but I was just stunned at some of the things she's said to have done. I've known some people who treated international development work as a sort of vacation filled with wild times; but never anything on her level! The author knew Emma; perhaps not on a best-friend level; but they seem to have had a professional relationship; which adds to the quality of the narrative. The author does not just tell Emma's story; but sets the book up as a sort of recounting of the travel and research she did to put the book together. I didn't like that at first; but the conversational style was pleasant and it grew on me. You really get to know the places Emma lived; for instance; because the author describes going there; and the interviews seem more personal when placed in the frame of the author's research. Awesome book; would recommend to anyone.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Impossible to put down!By Firefly888One of the best written book I have ever read about Africa -- it really captures the mood and the challenges. This book provides both a history of the Sudan and surrounding areas; as well as an interesting story of a young Englishwoman; initially involved in humanitarian aid; who became involved with and married an African warlord. A remarkable story and one that richly increases one's understanding of the complications of providing assistance in Africa.I spent several months in Zaire/Congo right out of college and I finally understand the situation better. A number of my friends have been on missions in Africa. We cannot just stand back; yet; we must be aware of the effects of what we do and how we do it.Excellent account! Kudos to Deborah Scroggins for trying to make sense of it all.
