2008 Woodie Awards
Harrowing account of atrocity in Darfur?
Timothy Baghurst
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Life & Style
Darfur is a region of Sudan that has taken up significant space in national newspapers over the last several years.
In "The Translator," author Daoud Hari tells of his upbringing in the Darfur region, its subsequent destruction and his efforts to guide reporters and aid ?workers into the war torn region.?
Hari, known as David and other names depending on his locale, tells of his colorful and peaceful upbringing in the Darfur region. Being ?perhaps a little more intrepid than the rest of his tribe, Daoud ?travels to other countries, learning to speak English along the way. This ?proves an essential tool when he returns to his homeland in 2003 as ?internal escalations have begun ripping his country apart. Soon, ?countless villages and villagers in the Darfur region are being systematically destroyed, including his own village and family. ?Millions of refugees begin pouring into neighboring country of Chad.
?Rather than take up arms as so many of his other relatives and ?friends, Hari uses his knowledge of the region and his command of ?English to guide humanitarian workers and reporters into this ?dangerous region.
Knowing that capture could result in his execution,?Hari continues his personal mission to relay the truth of this ?genocide to the rest of the world. However, he, along with others, are ?captured and tortured for spying.?
This is the story of a courageous man willing to risk his life to ?bring help to a region devastated by brutality. Hari's depiction of ?the Darfur region is compelling, yet the events that transpire are ?harrowing.
The simple and direct nature of Hari's written account of ?his experiences is sobering and will provide readers with an ?insider's perspective of this war torn country.
The book will be available at the UA Bookstore after its release date of March 16.
In "The Translator," author Daoud Hari tells of his upbringing in the Darfur region, its subsequent destruction and his efforts to guide reporters and aid ?workers into the war torn region.?
Hari, known as David and other names depending on his locale, tells of his colorful and peaceful upbringing in the Darfur region. Being ?perhaps a little more intrepid than the rest of his tribe, Daoud ?travels to other countries, learning to speak English along the way. This ?proves an essential tool when he returns to his homeland in 2003 as ?internal escalations have begun ripping his country apart. Soon, ?countless villages and villagers in the Darfur region are being systematically destroyed, including his own village and family. ?Millions of refugees begin pouring into neighboring country of Chad.
?Rather than take up arms as so many of his other relatives and ?friends, Hari uses his knowledge of the region and his command of ?English to guide humanitarian workers and reporters into this ?dangerous region.
Knowing that capture could result in his execution,?Hari continues his personal mission to relay the truth of this ?genocide to the rest of the world. However, he, along with others, are ?captured and tortured for spying.?
This is the story of a courageous man willing to risk his life to ?bring help to a region devastated by brutality. Hari's depiction of ?the Darfur region is compelling, yet the events that transpire are ?harrowing.
The simple and direct nature of Hari's written account of ?his experiences is sobering and will provide readers with an ?insider's perspective of this war torn country.
The book will be available at the UA Bookstore after its release date of March 16.
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