An Ordinary Man: The True Story Behind 'Hotel Rwanda'

click here for more details, find new or used items	Paul Rusesabagina Our price £11.89 (£16.99) New from £2.54 Used from £1.99 Pages: 288 (Hardcover) ISBN: 0747583048 Pub: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Pub date: 2006-05-01 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 199044

Reader Reviews:

An Ordinary Man (4/4 people found this helpful)

This is the powerful story of Paul Rusesabagina and how he survived the Rwandan genocide, whilst trying to help as many others at the same time. The film 'Hotel Rwanda' was based upon his story. The writing style is extremely easy to read, even if the subject matter makes for harrowing and even uncomfortable reading at times. Paul comes across as a modest man, with the utmost integrity and you can't help but be impressed by how he behaved during the genocide and worked toward saving as many refugees as possible. He explains the historical context to the genocide, as well as some of the politics, both national and international as it was carried out and this makes for an enlightening read. Fortunately, he is able to write this harrowing story and is still able to finish the book leaving you feeling inspired and not without hope for the future. A great book of a turbulent time that was ignored by western nations and international bodies as it occurred. Well worth a read.

An Ordinary Man (6/6 people found this helpful)

This is the powerful story of Paul Rusesabagina and how he survived the Rwandan genocide, whilst trying to help as many others at the same time. The film 'Hotel Rwanda' was based upon his story. The writing style is extremely easy to read, even if the subject matter makes for harrowing and even uncomfortable reading at times. Paul comes across as a modest man, with the utmost integrity and you can't help but be impressed by how he behaved during the genocide and worked toward saving as many refugees as possible. He explains the historical context to the genocide, as well as some of the politics, both national and international as it was carried out and this makes for an enlightening read. Fortunately, he is able to write this harrowing story and is still able to finish the book leaving you feeling inspired and not without hope for the future. A great book of a turbulent time that was ignored by western nations and international bodies as it occurred. Well worth a read.

Saviour (0/0 people found this helpful)

Confronting killers with a combination of diplomacy, flattery and deception, Paul Rusesabagina managed to shelter more than 1,200 Tutsis and moderate Hutus while homicidal mobs raged outside his hotel with machetes during the Rwandan genocide. His autobiography explores the inner life of the man in a way the film could not. Rusesabagina discusses the racial complexity within his own life, he is a Hutu married to a Tutsi, and his complete estrangement from the madness that surrounded him during the genocide.

The book takes the reader inside the hotel during those 100 days, relates the anguish of those who saw loved ones hacked to pieces, and describes Rusesabagina's ambivalence at pouring the Scotch and lighting the cigars of killers in the Swimming Pool bar, even as he hid as many refugees as possible inside the guest rooms upstairs. Never-before-reported elements of the Rwandan genocide will be disclosed in this book, such as the lack of interest of the international community , and the disgraceful behavior of some of the UN peacekeeping troops, who purchased the cars of the Tutsis who had taken shelter inside the hotel.

"An Ordinary Man" draws parallels between what happened in Rwanda with other genocides throughout history and asks the question: what causes an entire nation to go insane? It also offers an inside look at the problem of genocide and the responsibilities of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. It concludes with an exploration of the tremendous power of words to sow hatred, but also to bring life and hope.

A great read about a totally selfless humble man who faces the impossible madness of genocide and survives whilst saving a great many lives in the process....the western nations should hang their heads in shame, Paul Rusesabagina deserves to hold his high!

"Stubborn belief in the triumph of common decency" (13/13 people found this helpful)

One man's story of his experience during the Rwanda genocide of 1994, notable for the author's dignity and humility in the face of insufferably daunting events. He encapsulates his attitude in the quotation I have used for this review.

While he pulls no punches in portraying the harrowing nature of the events, he is at great pains at all times to stress that he was only one of many who were putting themselves at risk in order to protect their fellow man. He is particularly good on the almost casual way in which the hideous and the horrific can very soon be accepted as the norm. The clarity of the writing style turns subject matter which could have been very offputting into a very readable examination of the nature of humankind. An important, moving book.

Fabulously Real, Fabulously Inspirational (1/1 people found this helpful)

What a wonderful human being. A totally modest, unassuming gentlemen who to this day, does not believe he done anything other than what should have been done in such harsh times of need. What I found wonderful about this book, is that Paul shares his own personal thoughts in such a way, that it can only be honest & genuinely believable. He draws on previous inspirations & his mental toughness can only be admired. You get the impression that his father was always in his thoughts while everyone around him was going mad. His moral values are quite simply beautiful & have a running under current all the way through this book. This is also a very very sad book & explains in detail the torture the Hutu inflicted on the Tutsis. This book will be referenced in future times of need. Personally, I found, & will continue to do so, Paul Rusesabagina inspirational.

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