War Child: A Boy Soldier's Story
by Emmanuel Jal | Biographies & Memoirs | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 9781408700051 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 9781408700051 Global Overview for this book
2 journalers for this copy...
From Booklist
As a young kid barely able to carry a gun, Jal, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, witnessed and perpetrated unspeakable brutality in his country’s civil war, but he has not only found refuge in the U.S. but also become an international rap star for peace. His violent memories are graphically relayed in this powerful autobiography. At age 9, he smashed faces with machetes as his friend plunged a bayonet into an enemy’s stomach. What is amazing in this story is how Jal has been able to let go of his rage. His family gone, he was adopted by a British aid worker, who took him to Kenya, where he struggled in school. But eventually, inspired by Gandhi, King, and Mandela, he turned to music and the idea of rapping for peace (“no tribalism, nepotism, and racism in my motherland”). And his songs climbed the charts. With the intense personal story, Jal also brings in political issues not confronted in other books about the Sudanese War, including the crucial role of oil (“black gold”) in the ethnic conflict. --Hazel Rochman
As a young kid barely able to carry a gun, Jal, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, witnessed and perpetrated unspeakable brutality in his country’s civil war, but he has not only found refuge in the U.S. but also become an international rap star for peace. His violent memories are graphically relayed in this powerful autobiography. At age 9, he smashed faces with machetes as his friend plunged a bayonet into an enemy’s stomach. What is amazing in this story is how Jal has been able to let go of his rage. His family gone, he was adopted by a British aid worker, who took him to Kenya, where he struggled in school. But eventually, inspired by Gandhi, King, and Mandela, he turned to music and the idea of rapping for peace (“no tribalism, nepotism, and racism in my motherland”). And his songs climbed the charts. With the intense personal story, Jal also brings in political issues not confronted in other books about the Sudanese War, including the crucial role of oil (“black gold”) in the ethnic conflict. --Hazel Rochman
An honest heartwrenching read. I guess until reading this book I've been fairly ignorant of the plight of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Emmanual Jal is a wonderful young man who is dedicating his life to helping his country. A truly inspiring read.
Released 14 yrs ago (7/26/2009 UTC) at
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Over to WA for Blundery to read.... enjoy!
Over to WA for Blundery to read.... enjoy!
Gosh, did it take me six months to journal my receipt of this book?? Sorry about that :-) I am looking forward to reading this book, all I need now is a little bit of free time to enjoy it :-) thanks for sharing.
