
Radio Congo
Signals of Hope from Africa's Deadliest War
Ben Rawlence(Author)
Oneworld Publications (Publisher)
Published on 4. April 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-85168-965-1 (ISBN)
Description
In this extraordinary debut - called 'gripping' by The Times of London - Ben Rawlence sets out to gather the news from a forgotten town deep in Congo's 'silent quarter' where peace is finally being built after two decades of civil war and devastation. Ignoring the advice of locals, reporters, and mercenaries, he travels by foot, bike, and boat, introducing us to Colonel Ibrahim, a guerrilla turned army officer; Benjamin, the kindly father of the most terrifying Mai Mai warlord; the cousins Mohammed and Mohammed, young tin traders hoping to make their fortune; and talk show host Mama Christine, who dispenses counsel and courage in equal measure. From the 'blood cheese' of Goma to the decaying city of Manono, Rawlence uncovers the real stories of life during the war and finds hope for the future.
Reviews / Votes
"A compelling debut." * The Bookseller * "Rawlence gets under Congo's skin... He makes a self-effacing guide with a necessary sense of the ridiculous, an eye for the telling detail and a talent for evocative description. But it is his closeness to the Congolese that really stands out." * The Times *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
Illustrations, maps
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
381 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85168-965-1 (9781851689651)
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
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2012
1st Edition
Oneworld Publications
€7.90
Available for download
Person
Ben Rawlence is a senior researcher on Africa for Human Rights Watch. He has written for the Guardian, Prospect, London Review of Books, and others, and contributed to Radio 4. He lives in the Brecon Beacons, Wales.