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We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families
356 pages, 1999
economics & politics
987 books
history
999 booksPhilip Gourevitch's We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families is a chronicle of what has happened in Rwanda and neighboring states since 1994 when the Rwandan government called on everyone in the Hutu majority to murder everyone in the Tutsi minority.
Though this act was carried out at shocking speed--largely by machete--it was not low-tech: some 800,000 people were exterminated in a hundred days. A pastor from the Tutsi minority described the chilling phrase that gives Gourevitch his title in a letter to his church president, who was Hutu.
With keen dramatic intensity, Gourevitch frames the genesis and horror of Rwanda's genocidal logic in an aftermath that deals with mass displacements, temptations of revenge, and quests for justice and peace.
In 'We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families', Philip Gourevitch paints a vivid picture of the Rwandan genocide. He explores the horrifying reality of the mass slaughter, where neighbors turned against neighbors. It's a chilling reminder of the depths to which humanity can sink.
Gourevitch digs into the role of the international community during the genocide. He highlights the failure of the United Nations and other global powers to intervene, raising questions about the world's responsibility to prevent such atrocities.
The book doesn't stop at the genocide itself. It also explores the aftermath, looking into the struggles of survivors and the efforts to rebuild a shattered nation. It's a sobering look at the long-term effects of such a horrific event.
Gourevitch's book is a testament to the power of storytelling. Through personal accounts and interviews, he brings the reality of the genocide to life. It's a compelling reminder of the importance of bearing witness to history.
Finally, 'We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families' forces us to confront the complexity of human nature. It shows how fear, hatred, and manipulation can lead to unthinkable violence, but also how resilience, courage, and hope can emerge from the darkest of times.
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A profound and lasting book about a people's decimation. It is written with a sober passion, without rhetoric, and with a depth of pain that makes it unforgettable.
Susan Sontag - Writer, Filmmaker, ActivistA devastating account of the Rwandan genocide. Gourevitch's powerful writing ensures that this atrocity will not be forgotten.
Elie Wiesel - Author, Holocaust SurvivorA chilling and necessary reminder of the horrors of genocide. Gourevitch's book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Kofi Annan - Former UN Secretary-General
