Review of A Dream For Peace
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Reitumetse Mokoena
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Review of A Dream For Peace
[Following is a volunteer review of "A Dream For Peace" by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah.]
People tend to chuckle when pageant contestants state that they want to achieve world peace. A Dream For Peace makes one wonder if some laugh because they lack the courage to undertake such an arduous task. Well, Dr. Ghoulem Berrah writes this memoir to detail his lifelong strife for peace and independence. The book starts Dr. Berrah's story right at the beginning: in his childhood town in French-colonized Algeria. Reading about his environment of corrupt bureaucracy, heartbreaking complacency, and strategic and revolutionary retaliation, it becomes clear how he came to pursue this noble cause. As this is not a light cross to carry, the book also deals with the heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments when reality differs from the dream.
As much as I can understand that this is a collection of memories from the author's life, the random jumping around of his narrative style interrupted the flow of the story. He would be talking about one thing one second, then move on to another without creating any kind of link between the two different stories. It was like listening to an overly excited person which tended to be a little disorienting, especially when I was starting to settle into the rhythm and sequence of what was taking place. I think he did this to quickly lay a foundation for his story because, as he continues to give his account, this stops happening. So don't be discouraged by this small snag.
For me, this story is a lesson in being utterly dedicated to the mission. It shows the importance of making the time and putting in the necessary effort to achieve what you want. It was an encouraging read that shows how to remain focused on the goal in the face of adversity and opposition. I enjoyed seeing how everyone used whatever little they had to make as much of an impact as possible. It reminded me to be patient when the progress is slow and to celebrate the small milestones along the way. Seeing opportunities open up when one is willing to lending a helping hand where and when possible and not being scared to learn and seek help where they fell short was humbling.
Potential readers should be aware that, at times, he describes some gruesome details of what happens in a revolution, war, and liberation struggle. Although those moments are quite explicitly detailed, they do not take up a significant portion of the book so I would not consider them enough to deter one from giving the book a read. The wounds and scars that result from that, though, are not only physical as he also recalls the psychological effects that combat had on his comrades. For people who have seen and walked that journey, such memories might derail their healing process. This is just a warning so that anyone who might be adversely affected can be aware.
The writer gives such a vulnerable account of his life. Although the people who encouraged him to share his story did so out of admiration, he did not only tell stories about his achievements. He also shares the parts in which he failed, the things he said that might shed a dim light on the person that he is, and his struggles. The book was also professionally edited. It hardly had any errors and those that were there were very minor. It was an almost seamless read. Those who enjoy non-fiction pieces of work, especially those that relate to personal lives (like this memoir) and politics as it is the theme of this book, might find themselves captivated by it. The book is worthy of 4 out of 4 stars.
******
A Dream For Peace
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
People tend to chuckle when pageant contestants state that they want to achieve world peace. A Dream For Peace makes one wonder if some laugh because they lack the courage to undertake such an arduous task. Well, Dr. Ghoulem Berrah writes this memoir to detail his lifelong strife for peace and independence. The book starts Dr. Berrah's story right at the beginning: in his childhood town in French-colonized Algeria. Reading about his environment of corrupt bureaucracy, heartbreaking complacency, and strategic and revolutionary retaliation, it becomes clear how he came to pursue this noble cause. As this is not a light cross to carry, the book also deals with the heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments when reality differs from the dream.
As much as I can understand that this is a collection of memories from the author's life, the random jumping around of his narrative style interrupted the flow of the story. He would be talking about one thing one second, then move on to another without creating any kind of link between the two different stories. It was like listening to an overly excited person which tended to be a little disorienting, especially when I was starting to settle into the rhythm and sequence of what was taking place. I think he did this to quickly lay a foundation for his story because, as he continues to give his account, this stops happening. So don't be discouraged by this small snag.
For me, this story is a lesson in being utterly dedicated to the mission. It shows the importance of making the time and putting in the necessary effort to achieve what you want. It was an encouraging read that shows how to remain focused on the goal in the face of adversity and opposition. I enjoyed seeing how everyone used whatever little they had to make as much of an impact as possible. It reminded me to be patient when the progress is slow and to celebrate the small milestones along the way. Seeing opportunities open up when one is willing to lending a helping hand where and when possible and not being scared to learn and seek help where they fell short was humbling.
Potential readers should be aware that, at times, he describes some gruesome details of what happens in a revolution, war, and liberation struggle. Although those moments are quite explicitly detailed, they do not take up a significant portion of the book so I would not consider them enough to deter one from giving the book a read. The wounds and scars that result from that, though, are not only physical as he also recalls the psychological effects that combat had on his comrades. For people who have seen and walked that journey, such memories might derail their healing process. This is just a warning so that anyone who might be adversely affected can be aware.
The writer gives such a vulnerable account of his life. Although the people who encouraged him to share his story did so out of admiration, he did not only tell stories about his achievements. He also shares the parts in which he failed, the things he said that might shed a dim light on the person that he is, and his struggles. The book was also professionally edited. It hardly had any errors and those that were there were very minor. It was an almost seamless read. Those who enjoy non-fiction pieces of work, especially those that relate to personal lives (like this memoir) and politics as it is the theme of this book, might find themselves captivated by it. The book is worthy of 4 out of 4 stars.
******
A Dream For Peace
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Love and Marriage by Arthur Hartz
