Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

Why do I love reading memoirs?  Because of books like War Child, A Child Soldier’s Story by Emmanuel Jal. What an incredible book that had me thoroughly engrossed.  I think using the word engrossed is supposed to be a no-no when reviewing books but how else can I describe a book that had me unable to put it down and talking about it to my husband whenever I wasn’t reading it?

Emmanuel Jal is truly an amazing person and one that makes me believe in the resilience of the human spirit.   A former child-solder at the young age of seven in the Sudanese civil war, he is now a hip-hop star who is using his music to share his message and to find peace for his people in Africa.

About Emmanuel Jal’s story (from the War Child movie website):

In the early 1980s at the age of seven, Jal was swept into Sudan’s civil war, becoming one of 10,000 child soldiers conscripted on both sides of the two decade long conflict. After being forced to do many unimaginably horrible things, he escaped the soldier’s camp and trekked for four months through Africa. He was eventually found and adopted by the now legendary British aid worker Emma McCune who had married Sudanese guerrilla commander Riek Machar and convinced him to not employ child soldiers. Shortly after she adopted Jal, McCune died in a suspicious car crash, leaving Emmanuel “orphaned” once again. Jal rose from ruthless child soldier to refugee to rap star. He found his own redemption and life mission through a message of peace that represents one of the 21st centuries’ most inspiring and hopeful journeys, and a metaphor for the broader African predicament.

What I find so surreal about Emmanuel Jal’s story is that he is my age (or nearly close to it as he doesn’t know exactly when he was born).  What was I doing in the comfort of my American home while he had to make decisions about whether or not to eat his dead friend in order to stay alive, or that he was sleeping with an Ak-47 and not only being trained at the age of eight as a soldier but also sent to the front lines to kill?

I was so mad at his father for giving him up.  For abandoning him when he was just a small child No child should have to raise himself at the age of seven or eight.  I was so mad that people could do such awful things to each other.  But I was so inspired with those who reached out to help.  I adored and loved Emma McCune.  She is a hero and sometimes I secretly wish that I could make a similar impact on somebody’s life.   I am so inspired by Emmanuel Jal himself.  For overcoming his war-torn childhood, not only surviving but thriving and using his life to  make a difference for others.

After I finished the book, I rushed out and watched the documentary about his life.  When he lived in the refugee camps, he was filmed by National Geographic.  He loved to talk when he was little so he became a natural spokesman for the children.  It was surreal to watch him as a little boy and put a face to the little boy that I read about.

Another trailer (does contain graphic images):

And then after I watched the documentary, I rushed out and got his CD which I have listened to no less than a dozen times.  His lyrics are so compelling and he’s really talented.  I love that he is using his music to make a difference.

I love this tribute song for Emma McCune, the woman who smuggled him out of the country, took him in, and put him in school:

I wanted to share this song as well, because he was told that if he wanted to be successful he should become more concerned with material things.  His response was that while his people suffered in Africa, those things are meaningless. Just goes to show what his character his like.

Emmanuel Jal tells his story in his own words.  Please stop a moment and take the time to watch:

One  year ago, Emmanuel Jal pledged to fast two meals a day until he raised enough funds to build a school for his people in Africa.  One year later and countless meals missed, he has not given up.  You can find out how’s he doing via the links below and help the cause.

I was so inspired from this book and learning about Emmanuel Jal’s journey that I chose this book for the Twenty-Minute Book Club on the That’s How I Blog, Blog Talk Radio Show hosted by Nicole at Linus’s Blanket, which I will be a guest on Tuesday, January 19th. (and if you’re into reading challenges – this book would fit nicely with the That’s How I Blog Challenge as well as the Social Justice Challenge).  I would love for you to read the book, watch the documentary, or listen to his album and join us on that show to discuss it.

Regardless, this is one of those books that when you read it, you have to tell everybody about it.  So this is me, telling you about it.  Read it.

Links of interest:  Emmanuel Jal website, Twitter, Facebook and on YouTube.  War Child documentary movie website.  Gua Africa, Emmanuel’s non-profit charity which he founded, which is currently raises funds for the Emma Academy, in honor of the woman who saved his life.
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press. February 3, 2009.
Hardcover, 272 pages. ISBN 0312383223
War Child is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!