Author(s): Brian Steidle

Current Affairs

This intense, vivid, powerful memoir from the heart of Darfur by a former American soldier who became a military observer for the African Union, is the first extensive on-the-ground account of the genocide in Sudan. Former US Marine Brian Steidle arrived in Southern Sudan in January 2004 looking for adventure and ready to provide military support for the ceasefire ending Africa's longest-lasting civil war. Hired as one of only three Americans on the ground in areas of Darfur inaccessible to journalists or even humanitarian aid workers, he spent six months there, witnessing first-hand the on-going genocide, and documenting every day of his experience using email, audio journals, notebook after notebook and nearly 1000 photographs. Gretchen Steidle Wallace, his sister who is helping Brian write the book, corresponded with him throughout his time in Darfur. When he realised his daily reports were falling on deaf ears, Brian resigned from his position, returned home and began speaking out publicly about what he saw, putting his life and career at risk.