I Didn't Do It For You: How the World Used and Abused a Small African Nation
Michela Wrong
HarperPerennial
Sales Rank: 121512
Michela Wrong
HarperPerennial
Sales Rank: 121512
A brilliant eye opener, 2010-02-14The only weakness of this book is its title. It refers to a scene during WW II, when British soldiers were busy liberating Eritrea from the Italians. A local woman ululated for passing British soldiers, whereupon one of them shouted what has become the title of this highly illuminating book. In other words, the British did not liberate Eritrea to become independent and rule itself. Nor did any other nation, before or after.
Every chapter in this book is a gem and an eye opener. Shamefully, what the Brits did after their victory over Italy was to dismantle and haul away every industrial investment made by Italy during the 1930s, and move it away to its other colonies, such as India and Kenya. Except for things that could not be moved like buildings: Italy turned Asmara into what is (still) the most beautiful capital city of Africa, subject of documentaries, coffee table books and a trickle of tourism. Reconstruction by elderly Eritreans of the destroyed rail link between Asmara and Massawa, covering a tortuous track and 2.200 m in altitude, is included in such tours an has been recorded in documentaries broadcast worldwide.
Marcela Wrong (MW) argues convincingly that the Eritrean national character has been shaped by a succession of betrayals by the Ethiopians, the Italians, the British, the UN, and again, the Ethiopians. Anyone curious to learn why the Eritrean government (which took decades of fighting to emerge without outside help) is not amenable to Western advice, should read this book.
MW has interviewed lots of key actors and observers, ranging from former Soviet generals and advisors, a US 95-year old top legal advisor to Emperor Haile Selassie, to local insiders, eccentrics and notables. This book is required reading for anyone about to serve in Eritrea and/or Ethiopia and for the people supervising them. MW has been cautious to include some measure of doubt about the future of Eritrea's hard-won independence, given the increasingly authoritarian behaviour of its rather ruthless leader. Highly recommended.
Reviewed By A37A67JV7XKSOBEvery chapter in this book is a gem and an eye opener. Shamefully, what the Brits did after their victory over Italy was to dismantle and haul away every industrial investment made by Italy during the 1930s, and move it away to its other colonies, such as India and Kenya. Except for things that could not be moved like buildings: Italy turned Asmara into what is (still) the most beautiful capital city of Africa, subject of documentaries, coffee table books and a trickle of tourism. Reconstruction by elderly Eritreans of the destroyed rail link between Asmara and Massawa, covering a tortuous track and 2.200 m in altitude, is included in such tours an has been recorded in documentaries broadcast worldwide.
Marcela Wrong (MW) argues convincingly that the Eritrean national character has been shaped by a succession of betrayals by the Ethiopians, the Italians, the British, the UN, and again, the Ethiopians. Anyone curious to learn why the Eritrean government (which took decades of fighting to emerge without outside help) is not amenable to Western advice, should read this book.
MW has interviewed lots of key actors and observers, ranging from former Soviet generals and advisors, a US 95-year old top legal advisor to Emperor Haile Selassie, to local insiders, eccentrics and notables. This book is required reading for anyone about to serve in Eritrea and/or Ethiopia and for the people supervising them. MW has been cautious to include some measure of doubt about the future of Eritrea's hard-won independence, given the increasingly authoritarian behaviour of its rather ruthless leader. Highly recommended.
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