Review of Dream For Peace

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[i][Following is a volunteer review of "A Dream For Peace" by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah.][/i]

[rwc=id495651-125]4 out of 4 stars.[/rwc]Dr. Ghoulem Berrah’s memoir accurately and vividly captures his life story. A man destined for greatness despite being born in French colonial Algeria. Life in colonial Algeria was characterized by segregation and deprivation to the locals considered second class citizens with access to only basic education and back-breaking menial jobs. Despite the odds stacked against him, he excelled in his education outshining even the privileged French children. He received a scholarship by the French colonial government to study medicine in France. However, life was no different from back home rife with racism and segregation. Soon he found himself thrust to the center of the anti-colonial liberation struggle to free himself and his countrymen from the chains of bondage.



Ghoulem’s [i]“A Dream for Peace: An Ambassador’s Memoir”[/i] is a book about a selfless man and true son of Africa on a quest to see everyone in the world co-exist peacefully. He is not concerned about the skin color, religion, social class, race or tribe that detractors use to stir the pot for strife. As a diplomat, the greatest arsenal he uses is not armed resistance but dialogue to bring warring sides to the negotiating table. Through this unique approach and hard work, he gains favor and admiration wherever he goes be it as a student in France and the United States, a liberation fighter in Morocco, meeting chairman Mao Zedong in China or as a diplomat working closely with the first president of the Ivory Coast. Indeed, his novel approach to diplomatic issues helps solve many problems plaguing many countries in an African continent freshly de-colonized, still undergoing colonialism such as apartheid in South Africa, or under neo-colonialism. His efforts are not limited to the African continent, but also international stage such as the Israeli-Palestine conflict and the cold war. The ambassador’s dream and life’s quest is peace for all people wherever they may be in the world.



The memoir accounts even the minutest detail that may escape most people in a career spanning decades as Ghoulem’s. it combines serious matters with witty and funny moments such as when he goes to talk to Colonel Ghaddafi, who refuses to face him directly but rather hand him his profile to read. The detailed descriptions of people, places, buildings, material things and scenery in the book leaves the reader informed, intrigued, and feeling as if they are actually there at the moment. Additionally, the memoir educates the reader about various cultures, religious practices, political systems, and diplomatic knowledge and protocols. Ghoulem does not only give insight about his life as a scholar, liberation fighter, and diplomat but also his chaotic love life that leads him to landing the love of his life. I also found the detailed pictures and footnotes at the end of each chapter informative, fascinating and educative.



Some readers may find it difficult to follow the gist of the story due to the many foreign language terminologies used in the memoir. The account also overlaps in time periods depending on the topic the ambassador wishes to address in the chapter. Religion plays a big part in GGhoulem’s life being a practicing Muslim married to a devout catholic. Other characters are also overly religious or guided by religious doctrines such as the catholic priests and imams.



“I rate the [b]4 out 4 stars[/b]”. The memoir allows a layman to understand topics such as the struggle for independence, culture of various people, technical scientific knowhow, and diplomacy. It allows the reader to pick the brain of a man who excels in whatever he puts his mind to be it as a freedom fighter, scholar, medical doctor, lawyer, or diplomat. Enthusiasts of non-fiction memoirs will surely find something to enjoy about this book.

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[i]A Dream For Peace [/i]
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