{"title":"Michela Wrong","description":"\u003cp\u003eMichela Wrong is a distinguished author and journalist renowned for her insightful and deeply researched works on African history and politics. Her ability to interweave historical narrative with investigative journalism provides readers with a profound understanding of the complex socio-political landscapes of African nations. Wrong's compelling writing captures the heart and soul of the continent, making her books a fascinating read for those interested in history and adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong her acclaimed titles is \u003cem\u003eDo Not Disturb\u003c\/em\u003e, an intense exploration of political intrigue and mystery surrounding the assassination of a prominent figure in Rwanda. Another notable work, \u003cem\u003eI Didn’t Do It For You\u003c\/em\u003e, delves into Eritrea's turbulent history, offering a poignant look at the country's journey through colonial rule and its struggle for independence. In \u003cem\u003eIn the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz\u003c\/em\u003e, Wrong takes readers on an enthralling journey through the chaotic and charismatic rule of Mobutu Sese Seko in the Democratic Republic of Congo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer books are not only a deep-dive into the political and historical dynamics of Africa but also an invitation to explore its rich tapestry of cultures and stories. Whether you're a history buff, a travel enthusiast, or a curious reader keen on understanding Africa's past and present, Michela Wrong's collection offers a compelling read that is both educational and narratively gripping.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"do-not-disturb","title":"Do Not Disturb","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Superb\" - The Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Engrossing and revelatory\" - Observer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Powerful, compelling and meticulously researched\" - New Statesman\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA new book from the award-winning author of \u003cem\u003eIn the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eDo Not Disturb\u003c\/em\u003e explores the controversial career of Paul Kagame and the legacy of the Rwandan genocide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDo Not Disturb\u003c\/em\u003e is a dramatic recasting of the modern history of Africa’s Great Lakes region, an area blighted by the greatest genocide of the twentieth century. This bold retelling, vividly sourced by direct testimony from key participants, tears up the traditional script.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the old version, an idealistic group of young rebels overthrows a genocidal regime in Kigali, ushering in an era of peace and stability that makes Rwanda the donor darling of the West, winning comparisons with Switzerland and Singapore. The new version examines afresh questions which dog the recent past: Why do so many ex-rebels scoff at official explanations of who fired the missile that killed the presidents of Rwanda and Burundi? Why didn’t the mass killings end when the rebels took control? Why did those same rebels, victory secured, turn so ruthlessly on one another?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMichela Wrong uses the story of Patrick Karegeya, once Rwanda’s head of external intelligence and a quicksilver operator of supple charm, to paint the portrait of a modern African dictatorship created in the chilling likeness of Paul Kagame, the president who sanctioned his former friend’s murder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDo Not Disturb\u003c\/em\u003e unfolds like a thriller, but with the rigour of meticulously researched non-fiction, making it a compelling read for those interested in understanding the true complexity behind the façade of Rwanda's modern success story. Beyond merely recounting historical events, Wrong's work exposes the shadowy undercurrents of power, betrayal, and political manipulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately, \u003cem\u003eDo Not Disturb\u003c\/em\u003e serves as a withering assault on the murderous regime of Kagame, interwoven with poignant reflections on the unfulfilled promises and dark realities of Africa's Great Lakes region. It is a must-read for those interested in African politics, contemporary history, and investigative journalism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"A withering assault on the murderous regime of Kagame, and a melancholy love song to the last dreams of the African Great Lakes\" - John Le Carre\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45685947597036,"sku":"9780008238902","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780008238902.jpg?v=1725458719"},{"product_id":"in-the-footsteps-of-mr-kurtz","title":"In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz\u003c\/i\u003e by Michela Wrong offers a spellbinding journey into the chaotic and corrupt world of Congo during the reign of Mobutu Sese Seko. With an acute sense of history and deep insight, Wrong draws stark parallels between Joseph Conrad’s fictional Mr Kurtz from \u003ci\u003eHeart of Darkness\u003c\/i\u003e and the real-life dictator Mobutu, who wielded power with absolute impunity and led a nation into economic ruin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet against the backdrop of the late 20th century, this remarkable narrative unfolds in a world where lavish dinner parties continue amidst a collapsing state, where rebel soldiers, painted with garish pink lipstick, clash with track-suited secret policemen in ostentatious hotels. While the privileged sip on vintage wines, the country's vast wealth – rich in diamonds, gold, and other minerals – is systematically plundered by its own leaders. This institutionalised kleptomania reaches almost farcical heights when one learns of the theft of a uranium rod from Congo's sole nuclear reactor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWrong’s compelling account delves deep into the grotesque realities of Mobutu's regime. The dictator's absurd extravagance shines through his retreat to a jungle palace adorned with marble floors and gold taps, echoing the decayed grandeur of Mr Kurtz’s hideaway. In this climate of unchecked greed and rampant corruption, everything and everyone is up for sale, and survival often depends on one's ability to navigate this treacherous landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough meticulous research and vivid storytelling, \u003ci\u003eIn the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz\u003c\/i\u003e transcends the genre of traditional historical narratives, bringing to life the surreal and often tragicomic essence of a nation betrayed by its leaders. It is a poignant examination of power, exploitation, and the human condition, reverberating with timeless themes of greed and moral decay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor readers keen on understanding the complexities of African politics or those fascinated by the interplay between history and literature, Michela Wrong's work stands as both a significant scholarly resource and a captivating read. It's a powerful reminder that, in some corners of the world, history's darkest echoes continue to resound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686076801260,"sku":"9781841154220","price":25.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781841154220.jpg?v=1725461312"},{"product_id":"i-didnt-do-it-for-you-by-michela-wrong-9780007150953","title":"I Didn’t Do It For You","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne small East African country embodies the battered history of the continent: patronised by colonialists, riven by civil war, confused by Cold War manoeuvring, proud, colourful, with Africa's best espresso and worst rail service. Michela Wrong brilliantly reveals the contradictions and comedy, past and present, of Eritrea. Just as the beat of a butterfly's wings is said to cause hurricanes on the other side of the world, so the affairs of tiny Eritrea reverberate onto the agenda of superpower strategists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis new book on Africa is from the author of the critically acclaimed \u003cem\u003eIn the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz\u003c\/em\u003e. Eritrea is a little-known country scarred by decades of conflict and occupation. It has weathered the world's longest-running guerrilla war, and the dogged determination that secured victory against Ethiopia, its giant neighbour, is woven into the national psyche.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFascist Italy wanted Eritrea as the springboard for a new, racially-pure Roman empire, Britain sold off its industry for scrap, the US needed headquarters for its state-of-the-art spy station, and the Soviet Union used it as a pawn in a proxy war. Michela Wrong reveals the breathtaking abuses this tiny nation has suffered and, with the sharp eye for detail that was the hallmark of her account of Mobutu's Congo, she tells the story of colonialism itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlong the way, we meet a formidable Emperor, a guerrilla fighter who taught himself French cuisine in the bush, and a chemist who arranged the heist of his own laboratory. An arresting blend of travelogue and history, \u003cem\u003eI Didn't Do It For You\u003c\/em\u003e pierces the dark heart of our colonial history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46514727420140,"sku":"9780007150953","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/14429433482190.jpg?v=1748891044"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/michela-wrong.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}