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The Devil Came on Horseback

Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur

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The Devil Came on Horseback

By: Brian Steidle, Gretchen Steidle Wallace
Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
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About this listen

 The Devil Came on Horseback is an intense, vivid autobiographical report from the heart of violent Darfur and a call to action by a former American Marine who became a military observer for the African Union. The first extensive on-the-ground account of the genocide in Sudan, it leads us through the tragic impact of an Arab government bent on destroying its black African citizens and the frustrating complexity of international inaction. At the same time, it is a powerful memoir of one soldier's awakening to conscience and his awkward, heroic transformation from Marine to humanitarian. While bearing witness to unmentionable atrocities, this compelling story offers evidence that the actions of just one committed person have the power to transform the world.©2007 Brian Steidle and Gretchen Steidle Wallace (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc. Africa World Military Morocco Middle East

Critic reviews

"Steidle's personal and fluent account effectively channels an idealistic, adventuresome young man's growing frustration and horror in the face of ongoing crimes against humanity and international complacency." ( Publishers Weekly)
" The Devil Came on Horseback grabs the reader from page one, then takes us on a journey of Conradian intensity through a circle of hell, its horrors mitigated by moments of humanity....In every sense, the devil is indeed in the details." (Karl E. Meyer, Editor, World Policy Journal)
"Brian Steidle's vivid, compelling account of the on-going genocide in Darfur bears stark witness to the worst humanitarian crisis facing the world today....If you are at all concerned about your fellow man, The Devil Came on Horseback is not only a haunting must read; it is a call to action." (David Freed, Los Angeles Times)
All stars
Most relevant
I knew about the genocide as I work with some people from Sudan who escaped to the UK. but I was not prepared to be enraged by the bureaucracy & dismissive attitude of some on the ground- the critics have labelled this as a self absorbed piece of writing. but if u have witnessed these atrocities how can u not be moved & angered. Great book I am more knowledgeable because of it. Great narration

disturbing

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One of the books everyone should read, particularly if you've lived your life in a first world country. This is not 'just another story about Africans killing Africans', although thousands upon thousands of Africans die in the course of its telling. It is not a fly-studded, poverty-stricken tear-jerker, although you will hear about poor people and it will make you cry. It's about what's really going on in Darfur, and indeed in so many places in Africa, how much the world could do to help and how little it does do, the ubiquity of red tape, the gagging of journalists and the suffering of so many individuals that it beggars belief. Much of the western world still perceives Africans as numerous, expendable and unimportant. As an African, I object of course, and yet, because I'm an African I understand that mentality. The man who wrote this harrowing and touching account is an American who also understands. His ability to communicate the view of the overfed outsider and the daily trauma of what he was charged with observing, brings together a stunning empathy of vision and real humanity.
A respectful, compassionate, accurate and readable account of how so many people live in terrible fear in countries that seek only their racial extermination and deepest humiliation on every level, this is not a pretty book. It's a real one. Read it if you want to know the truth. Do not read it if you would prefer to believe that Africa does not matter. After this book, you'll never think that again.

Honest, brutal, brave and utterly compelling

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detailed scenes of the genocide which took place in Sudan early 2000s.
As someone from Sudan myself I can only relate to most of what the author has to say!
I really wish this book become a movie so everyone would know

highly recommend

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