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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
BEST BOOK ON UGANDA'S RECENT HISTORY Sep 14, 2006
There are some books that try to show the world a certain culture and time in world history; yet, few really do more than just present the reader with a snap shot of events and people. However this soul-wrenching tale in the book "Eclipse Of The Pearl - Book 1: Contract Commando" that former Ugandan soldier Owota Olweny Geoffrey writes about is from his personal experiences and that of his fellow countrymen; it captures forever those events for the world to view. This book is a testament to his personal survival and that of his nation. His story documents some of the social unrest and atrocities that took place in Uganda's recent civil wars. The book is co-authored by Obonyo Olweny.
The author takes the reader on a historic adventure - sometimes with wonderful nostalgic reflections of his childhood; at other times, with ugly ungodly acts from a war-ravaged nation. You will feel the emotions of a young man and also from one who looks back to reflect through the eyes of an "old veteran" on those battles. This story is not just about his life but that of his nation. You cannot help but be emotionally moved after reading his narrative of the political and social upheavals he and his family and the people of Uganda at large faced and continue to endure. This book is so much more than a nation's history; it becomes a very personal story told by a man who loves his people, his country and who is willing if needed, to die for it.
In a country that never fully recovered from the religious, tribal and ethnic persecutions of former Dictator and "President for Life", Idi Amin in the 1970s, Uganda has been struggling to build a nation. The author was raised in that kind of social environment and has tried his best to succeed. Geoffrey trained most of his young life to be a good soldier under the new government; that even included martial arts training from the North Koreans. His world would fall apart and change forever with the overthrow of President Obote by rebel units of Uganda's own Army. Later on, he had to leave Uganda for Southern Sudan where he lived in temporary exile. He faced starvation and bad conditions until his return back to his country to fight for freedom and democracy.
A not-so-simple man, who desired to live a simple peaceful life, Geoffrey found that his life was full of battles both on the fields of combat and in his heart. This patriot still has dreams and visions for a better Uganda and for his family, but it has not been an easy road and it is far from over.
Most Westerners cannot fully conceive of what this man has endured and yet, there is such a joyful hope to his story. You cannot help but feel that Geoffrey has been on his own "spiritual journey". His quest for freedom and a better life has been documented in this moving account of his life, which intertwines with the tragic course of his country's recent political and military history. Geoffrey has documented in this account some of the root causes of the protracted civil conflict in his country, among which was the violation of the comprehensive peace deal reached in 1985. The book should therefore be a vital reference material for any future process of truth and reconciliation that Geoffrey's country, Uganda, would sorely need in coming to terms with its past.
This published record of his experiences and that of his nation should remain as a reminder to the rest of the world that great men still roam this planet. Mr. Geoffrey would certainly be welcomed and embraced by that old group of American rebels who signed our own Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776! You cannot help but be inspired by this life story. I hope that when you are done reading his book you will take the time to do something beyond just thinking about it. Write a letter or take some action that will help those in Africa and other developing nations who are seeking a helping hand, so that they can pull themselves up.
I am proud to have been asked to write a small message in this book. It is my honor to be associated with such great man and a fellow "spiritual warrior"! May God bless Uganda and its people!
This book receives the MWSA's top book rating of FIVE STARS! It also has this reviewer's personal endorsement.
This is an award winning book endorsed by the MWSA - One of the top selling books in Africa (book is written in English)
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