Review of A Dream For Peace
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
-
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: 12 Jan 2021, 15:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 84
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-janet-kimetto.html
- Latest Review: Eye of The Beholder by J.M. Stenfors
Review of A Dream For Peace
I'd say A Dream For Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah is a memoir unlike any other, but what do I know? That's what it feels like, though, considering the kind of life the author led. The period in which he was born and the career he chose particularly make this book a great source of history.
Dr. Berrah was born in Aïn Beïda, Constantine, Algeria, during the colonial period. The French government had divided the country into three territories—Constantine, Oran, and Algiers. He was only five when his father died, and his mother saw to it that he excelled in his education. Being his mother's only son, Dr. Berrah received so much love and attention from her.
This book follows Dr. Ghoulem Berrah's early life, his pursuit of education (and his major discoveries in his field of study), his part in Algeria's fight for liberation, his career, and his love life. It isn't just about Africa, though. For example, we see in detail how he and President Houphouët-Boigny of Côte d’Ivoire actively advocated for dialogue between Israel and Palestine. There's also a lot about interfaith marriage because Dr. Berrah and his wife managed to make their two religions (Islam and Christianity) work together.
I found a lot to like about this book. Its best feature is the priceless history it contains. The influence Dr. Berrah had as a diplomatic advisor to President Houphouët-Boigny went far beyond the Ivorian borders. He, just like President Houphouët-Boigny, emphasized the advantage of using dialogue in solving issues. Some of the stories told include Algeria's fight for liberation, Angola's independence war, and the struggle against the apartheid regime in South Africa.
The chapter titled “Diplomacy of Smiles” is the one I enjoyed reading the most. It is a collection of random memories. I couldn't help but think about the author reminiscing, writing this chapter with a smile on his face. That's the way I read it, with a smile on my face.
I liked the description of the Chaouis—a proud and powerful people not afraid to stand for what they want. That was in the first chapter, and it made me hopeful about the book. The love Dr. Berrah shared with his wife is also worth mentioning. It's not every day one finds a love like theirs. It withstood the test of time, literally.
A Dream For Peace receives 4 out of 4 stars from me. I found no negative aspects, and the book is well edited. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about Africa's colonial period, independence, and the struggle for peace (both before and after independence). This is not a history book per se, but the author's position with President Houphouët-Boigny put him in a position to know more. This book contains neither profanity nor sexual content.
******
A Dream For Peace
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
- MsH2k
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 4723
- Joined: 31 Jul 2019, 11:11
- Favorite Book: Crushing
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 366
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-msh2k.html
- Latest Review: Lilleah by eelonqa K harris
Rosa Parks
- Ellylion
- Posts: 3249
- Joined: 01 Mar 2019, 15:33
- Favorite Book: The Altitude Journals
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 136
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ellylion.html
- Latest Review: The Islands Tell Of It by Patty Fischer
- Chinazo Anozie
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 1284
- Joined: 18 Jun 2019, 06:15
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 340
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-chinazo-anozie.html
- Latest Review: Never Let Go by Sultan Nasser
- Amy Luman
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 5304
- Joined: 29 Mar 2021, 14:05
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 1026
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amy-luman.html
- Latest Review: 2084 by Kadon Landon Peterson
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
-
- Posts: 439
- Joined: 16 Mar 2022, 10:14
- Currently Reading: A Dream For Peace
- Bookshelf Size: 190
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-honeybear-11001.html
- Latest Review: Love Yourself & Lose Weight: The Success Story of Self Love by Katie Lips
- Judy_Akha
- Posts: 358
- Joined: 17 Feb 2022, 04:07
- Currently Reading: When No One Else Believed
- Bookshelf Size: 41
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-judy-akha.html
- Latest Review: The Dragon Who Would Be King by Anne Peters
-
- Posts: 375
- Joined: 14 Feb 2022, 13:03
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 108
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emmanuel-okotie.html
- Latest Review: VROOM! Barry, Kari and the Power Boost! by William G Wilberforce III
I'm not really a great fan of memoirs. However, I'd love to give this book a try especially because of the aspect that talks about interfaith marriage. I also think there's certainly a lot to learn from this book including the valuable history it contains. I'll add this one to my shelf.
Great review.
-
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: 12 Jan 2021, 15:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 84
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-janet-kimetto.html
- Latest Review: Eye of The Beholder by J.M. Stenfors
There is a lot to learn for sure. Dr. Berrah did live. I was worried about the book's length at first, but I soon got over it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words, MsH2k!
-
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: 12 Jan 2021, 15:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 84
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-janet-kimetto.html
- Latest Review: Eye of The Beholder by J.M. Stenfors
Then you would surely love it. Thank you for stopping by!
-
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: 12 Jan 2021, 15:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 84
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-janet-kimetto.html
- Latest Review: Eye of The Beholder by J.M. Stenfors
Thank you so much for your kind words, Nazzo! We try!
-
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: 12 Jan 2021, 15:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 84
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-janet-kimetto.html
- Latest Review: Eye of The Beholder by J.M. Stenfors
Yes, her mother was a big part of his success; he tells us that. He dedicated the book to her and said she shaped the man he became. And “through love, all is possible,” yes?(Crescent City). Thank you for stopping by!
- Muna Chizzy
- Posts: 708
- Joined: 16 Jul 2021, 04:44
- Currently Reading: Gardening With Guns
- Bookshelf Size: 38
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-muna-chizzy.html
- Latest Review: Timewise by Robert Leet
- EssyJ
- Posts: 86
- Joined: 21 Apr 2022, 03:38
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 13
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-essyj.html
- Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman
- Mildred Echesa
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: 18 Dec 2021, 04:16
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 103
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mildred-echesa.html
- Latest Review: Catch A Raven by Kirro Burrows