Hailu's family's trials and tribulations provide a strong foundation for understanding the events in Ethiopia toward the end of Emperor Haile Selassie's reign and the terror inflicted by the Derg.

The writer explores various themes in an interesting and captivating manner.

The revolution in Ethiopia highlights the rise of the educated elite who called for change to the feudal system, which had created a vast disparity between the upper and lower classes.

The vivid description of the Emperor's capture and killing brought tears to my eyes, showing how an icon and pan-Africanist was killed without regard for his contributions to his country and continent.

It was also disheartening to see how those who fought for change were, in turn, brutally killed and tortured by the Derg. It was like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

This raises the question: did those who called for the revolution act wisely? Would they have preferred to passively watch the monarchy ruin their country, or was facing human rights violations under the Derg the only alternative?

This is a book worth reading.