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theresagoers's review against another edition
2.0
If interested, I can highly recommend the podcast “Slahi” (on YouTube and Spotify). Unfortunately it is only in German with bits and pieces in English, nonetheless it is great! The diary itself gave shocking insights to the years of Slahi’s imprisonment, however, it was difficult to follow as many parts were blacked out by the US government. I also lost track of the years and experiences he went through, but I can’t even imagine how it must have been for Slahi to go through all the interrogation, the uncertainty and the pain. I don’t want to give my opinion on his case; especially the podcast has been showing me both sides of the story and made me question everything! Nonetheless, I am convinced that Slahi’s case is an example of misuse of power and extreme injustice.
bee_reads_horror's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
4.0
I don't read a lot of non-fiction but I happened to watch the movie adaptation of Mohamedou's story and I just wanted to know more about this man and years he spent unjustly detained.
I read the unredacted version and I found it very interesting what the United States government decided to mark out. Especially all uses of she/her pronouns and female sounding names. (not that it would've been difficult to use context clues to figure this out.)
I'm blown away by how overall positive Slahi seems to stay throughout his whole ordeal both about life and about those who tormented and tortured him for years. I admit I had trouble connecting to his story as there's just really nothing in my life that is even remotely relatable to what he went through.I think this is an important book, an important story- I learned so much and I am very glad I read it.
I read the unredacted version and I found it very interesting what the United States government decided to mark out. Especially all uses of she/her pronouns and female sounding names. (not that it would've been difficult to use context clues to figure this out.)
I'm blown away by how overall positive Slahi seems to stay throughout his whole ordeal both about life and about those who tormented and tortured him for years. I admit I had trouble connecting to his story as there's just really nothing in my life that is even remotely relatable to what he went through.I think this is an important book, an important story- I learned so much and I am very glad I read it.
oz617's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most important books I've read. Was delighted to find this restored edition, having read the classified version last year. The grace with which Mohamedou describes his captors feels unearned, but is probably what kept him alive.
fuzzyhebrew's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.0
This books sheds light on the nefarious activities of the US government in the pursuit of safety of its people. I'm frankly amazed it ever saw the light of day. The first thing I looked up was whether Slahi is still at GITMO, and he is not, he was released in 2016.
The book also made me think of what people can endure when under duress. Under what circumstances would I give a false confession? How soon would I give up hope of returning home?
The book also made me think of what people can endure when under duress. Under what circumstances would I give a false confession? How soon would I give up hope of returning home?
zachnachazel's review against another edition
4.0
Haiku Book Review:
Should you read this book?
Yes, prepare your heart and soul.
Deeply troubling.
Should you read this book?
Yes, prepare your heart and soul.
Deeply troubling.
alm0lina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
it’s a tough read. heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, Grief, Sexual harassment, and War
jilly7922's review against another edition
5.0
This book is about Mohamedou Ould Slahi. It is his memoir that he wrote while being detained in Guantanamo. It is a story of an innocent man who was wrongly accused of being a terrorist. However, to this day the U.S. has not charged him with any crime. It is a story of how this man survived extreme torture that was given to him by the United States government. I could go into a lot more detail of what this book was about, I am very tempted to, but I don't want to take away anything from any one's experience of reading this book.
Overall I rated this book a perfect score of five out of five stars. I also added it to my all-time favorites list on Goodreads. I honestly don't know how to review this book, or what to write, because no written word will do this book justice. I can say this book emotionally tore me apart. It opened my eyes to things I did not want to see. I was blinded by comfort before reading this book, my eyes were shielded. This book is one everyone should read. It was not even the absolute horror of the torture that Mohamedou went through or the unforgivable injustice he was dealt with, that defined his story. It was Mohamedou's incredible compassion, forgiveness and his human spirit that blew me away. This book made my blood boil, but at the same time it was awe-inspiring, hopeful, compassionate and showed the best of the human spirit. For those of you who may be skeptical just know this that every statement that Mohamedou writes in this book the editor Larry Siems backs it up with facts.
To read more about this book and read a lot more information about Mohamedou's story this website has it all. To read this website CLICK HERE. And for those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE.
Come and read my blog at: http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com/
Overall I rated this book a perfect score of five out of five stars. I also added it to my all-time favorites list on Goodreads. I honestly don't know how to review this book, or what to write, because no written word will do this book justice. I can say this book emotionally tore me apart. It opened my eyes to things I did not want to see. I was blinded by comfort before reading this book, my eyes were shielded. This book is one everyone should read. It was not even the absolute horror of the torture that Mohamedou went through or the unforgivable injustice he was dealt with, that defined his story. It was Mohamedou's incredible compassion, forgiveness and his human spirit that blew me away. This book made my blood boil, but at the same time it was awe-inspiring, hopeful, compassionate and showed the best of the human spirit. For those of you who may be skeptical just know this that every statement that Mohamedou writes in this book the editor Larry Siems backs it up with facts.
To read more about this book and read a lot more information about Mohamedou's story this website has it all. To read this website CLICK HERE. And for those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE.
Come and read my blog at: http://turnthepagereviewsbyjill.blogspot.com/
winter94's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0