Review of A Dream For Peace
Posted: 24 Mar 2023, 04:33
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Dream For Peace" by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah.]
"I had but one ambition: to serve Africa." (page 203)
A Dream for Peace: A Memoir by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah recounts the author's life as a peace advocate, freedom fighter, public servant, diplomat, and special advisor to Côte d'Ivoire President, Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
Dr. Ghoulem Berrah was born in Algeria at the time that his country was annexed by France. The French colonization brought racism and colonialism to his homeland. In his childhood, he witnessed how cruel and biased the French ruled. The Arabs, including Ghoulem, were maltreated and subjected to racism while the French enjoyed the privilege. Dr. Berrah excelled in school and gained a scholarship to study medicine in France. As a student in France, he was involved in many revolutionary organizations, including the Front de libération Nationale (FLN) and the General Union of Algerian Muslim Students (UGEMA), to name a few, whose advocacy was to liberate their people.
During his adulthood, he dedicated his time to serving African people. Being a presidential advisor to President Houphouët-Boigny involved him on many occasions aiming for peace, justice, and freedom for African countries, including Algeria.
This lengthy book deserves praise. Dr. Berrah was remarkable for his time. His existence simply aspires to the goodness of Africans. The inclusion of images, including his certificates of excellence, prominent leaders' meet-ups, projects, and "wedding and travel" pictures, made the book authentic and engrossing. His "father-son" relationship with President Houphouët-Boigny was admirable. They team up for beautiful major projects in the country, including "Our Lady of Peace Basilica" and "Riviera Mosque." The pictures were historic and gorgeous. I like Berrah's tolerance of many religions. It shows in their living situation with his wife, Titi, because she is a devoted Catholic while he is a Muslim. He was so supportive of his wife. I love the "Murky Waters of Love" chapter, which depicts their against-all-odds love story, which succeeds in the end.
One thing that makes the book slightly less quality is the blurred images. I would appreciate it if it was edited and perfected. The French words and the Arab names were also hard to pronounce, but these uncomplimentary aspects never lessened the importance of the book; it was informative and educative.
This 644-page book has only two minor mistakes, evidence of its professional editing. I love to rate A Dream for Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah 5 out of 5 stars because, by reading this outstanding book, I learned the history of Algeria and some of its neighboring countries in Africa. I also know that someone somewhere dedicated his life to peace and justice for his people, like the author.
This understandable and delightful book is highly recommended to historians, political memoir lovers, and people interested in the 1950s to 1980s living standards of African nations.
******
A Dream For Peace
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"I had but one ambition: to serve Africa." (page 203)
A Dream for Peace: A Memoir by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah recounts the author's life as a peace advocate, freedom fighter, public servant, diplomat, and special advisor to Côte d'Ivoire President, Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
Dr. Ghoulem Berrah was born in Algeria at the time that his country was annexed by France. The French colonization brought racism and colonialism to his homeland. In his childhood, he witnessed how cruel and biased the French ruled. The Arabs, including Ghoulem, were maltreated and subjected to racism while the French enjoyed the privilege. Dr. Berrah excelled in school and gained a scholarship to study medicine in France. As a student in France, he was involved in many revolutionary organizations, including the Front de libération Nationale (FLN) and the General Union of Algerian Muslim Students (UGEMA), to name a few, whose advocacy was to liberate their people.
During his adulthood, he dedicated his time to serving African people. Being a presidential advisor to President Houphouët-Boigny involved him on many occasions aiming for peace, justice, and freedom for African countries, including Algeria.
This lengthy book deserves praise. Dr. Berrah was remarkable for his time. His existence simply aspires to the goodness of Africans. The inclusion of images, including his certificates of excellence, prominent leaders' meet-ups, projects, and "wedding and travel" pictures, made the book authentic and engrossing. His "father-son" relationship with President Houphouët-Boigny was admirable. They team up for beautiful major projects in the country, including "Our Lady of Peace Basilica" and "Riviera Mosque." The pictures were historic and gorgeous. I like Berrah's tolerance of many religions. It shows in their living situation with his wife, Titi, because she is a devoted Catholic while he is a Muslim. He was so supportive of his wife. I love the "Murky Waters of Love" chapter, which depicts their against-all-odds love story, which succeeds in the end.
One thing that makes the book slightly less quality is the blurred images. I would appreciate it if it was edited and perfected. The French words and the Arab names were also hard to pronounce, but these uncomplimentary aspects never lessened the importance of the book; it was informative and educative.
This 644-page book has only two minor mistakes, evidence of its professional editing. I love to rate A Dream for Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah 5 out of 5 stars because, by reading this outstanding book, I learned the history of Algeria and some of its neighboring countries in Africa. I also know that someone somewhere dedicated his life to peace and justice for his people, like the author.
This understandable and delightful book is highly recommended to historians, political memoir lovers, and people interested in the 1950s to 1980s living standards of African nations.
******
A Dream For Peace
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
