We Did Nothing
Why the truth doesn't always come out when the UN goes in
Published on 1. May 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-0-670-91424-1 (ISBN)
Description
A brilliantly written and disturbing expose of attempts to 'keep the peace' in the modern world
In recent years our televisions have beamed images of young men in blue helmets dropping from the skies into war-torn countries, sent to 'keep the peace'. But what really happens when they reach the frontline? Linda Polman witnessed the UN missions to Somalia; Haiti; Rwanda and Sierra Leone and met their frightened soldiers, mystified locals, and jaded mercenaries. In a voice that is utterly compelling she discovers the comic absurdities inside these 'peace-keeping' camps, and the truly horrifying reality outside. As she pays tribute to the bravery of some she also exposes, with breathtaking clarity, the human cost of our indifference.
In recent years our televisions have beamed images of young men in blue helmets dropping from the skies into war-torn countries, sent to 'keep the peace'. But what really happens when they reach the frontline? Linda Polman witnessed the UN missions to Somalia; Haiti; Rwanda and Sierra Leone and met their frightened soldiers, mystified locals, and jaded mercenaries. In a voice that is utterly compelling she discovers the comic absurdities inside these 'peace-keeping' camps, and the truly horrifying reality outside. As she pays tribute to the bravery of some she also exposes, with breathtaking clarity, the human cost of our indifference.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Books Ltd
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 134 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
315 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-670-91424-1 (9780670914241)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Linda Polman studied at the School of Journalism in Utrecht. For the last twenty years she has been a freelance journalist for Dutch radio, TV and newspapers. Since publication of her book in the Netherlands Polman has lectured to government, military and academic audiences throughout the region. A section from this book first appeared in Granta. She currently divides her time between West Africa and Holland.
Content
Hotdogs in New York; the UN in Somalia - scuttled by mutiny; Haiti, Rwanda, Bosnia, Somalia and 13 other disaster zones - tailback in the Security Council; the UN in Haiti - blue helmets without blue helmets; the UN in Rwanda - the end.