Review of A Dream For Peace

[Ayush Ray]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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The author's journey began in Aïn Beïda, a small Algerian town during the period of French colonization. Growing up with a keen awareness of the second-class status imposed on native Algerians, he resented the fact that his teachers focused on French history but neglected their own Algerian heritage. His pursuit of a medical education in France brought him into contact with fellow Muslim students who, like him, faced discrimination.

In the early 1950s, they joined forces to create the Association of North African Muslim Students, one of many anti-colonial organizations in which he became actively involved. Berrah's dedication and willingness to make a difference led him to accept a Ministry of Health assignment in the war-torn Moroccan town of Missour, earning him recognition and praise from colleagues and superiors.

Subsequently, during his time at the University of Indiana, he made a groundbreaking scientific discovery related to the inhibition of DNA synthesis. This achievement propelled him into a prestigious position as a professor at the Yale School of Medicine in 1963, and he was honored by being elected to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1966.

Driven by a profound desire to contribute to a better world, Berrah took on a role as an advisor to the Foreign Ministry of Côte d'Ivoire in 1965 and became the closest confidant of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Throughout his distinguished career, he had the privilege of meeting with world leaders, including several American presidents, Charles De Gaulle, Fidel Castro, and Golda Meir.

The memoir's prose is detailed and relatively dispassionate, reflecting Berrah's commitment to diplomacy. An example of his creativity in this realm is showcased in a story he shares about a 1973 summit of Non-Aligned Countries. He was faced with the challenge of handling an inflammatory speech by Castro, replete with personal insults about President Houphouët-Boigny. Berrah opted to discreetly cut Castro's microphone feed and pretended there was a technical glitch.

While the abundance of association names and acronyms may occasionally overwhelm readers, they will undoubtedly appreciate the author's meticulous descriptions of the places he visited. For instance, he vividly describes the peacocks at President Houphouët-Boigny's palace, which proudly displayed their radiant blue bodies adorned with emerald iridescence.

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A Dream For Peace
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