Author Description
When South Sudan's War Began, The Beatles Were Playing Their First Hits And Reaching The Moon Was An Astronaut's Dream. Half A Century Later, With Millions Massacred In Africa's Longest War, The Continent's Biggest Country Split In Two. It Was An Extraordinary, Unprecedented Experiment. Many Have Fought, But South Sudan Did The Impossible, And Won. This Is The Story Of An Epic Fight For Freedom. It Is Also The Story Of A Nightmare. First Raise A Flag Details One Of The Most Dramatic Failures In The History Of International State-building. Three Years After Independence, South Sudan Was Lowest Ranked In The List Of Failed States. War Returned, Worse Than Ever. Peter Martell Has Spent Over A Decade Reporting From Palaces And Battlefields, Meeting Those Who Made A Country Like No Other: Warlords And Spies, Missionaries And Mercenaries, Guerrillas And Gunrunners, Freedom Fighters And War Crime Fugitives, Hollywood Stars And Ex-slaves. Under His Seasoned Foreign Correspondent's Gaze, He Weaves With Passion And Colour The Lively History Of The World's Newest Country. First Raise A Flag Is A Moving Reflection On The Meaning Of Nationalism, The Power Of Hope And The Endurance Of The Human Spirit.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the complex, often tragic trajectory of South Sudan from its struggle for independence to its rapid descent into state failure. Peter Martell, a veteran foreign correspondent with over a decade of on-the-ground reporting, utilizes his extensive access to diverse stakeholders—ranging from warlords and spies to humanitarian workers—to construct a comprehensive account of the nation's formation. He argues that the optimism surrounding the birth of the world's newest country was quickly undermined by deep-seated internal conflicts and the limitations of international state-building efforts.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed historical account of the decades-long conflict leading to the partition of Sudan.
- Analysis of the geopolitical and social factors contributing to the collapse of South Sudan's post-independence stability.
- First-hand accounts from a wide spectrum of actors including mercenaries, freedom fighters, and international observers.
Scope Limits
- The book does not provide a comprehensive military history of every skirmish during the conflict.
- It does not offer a prescriptive policy manual for future international state-building interventions.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and reviewers frequently commend the book for its vivid, on-the-ground reporting and its ability to humanize the complex political landscape of South Sudan. Readers often note that the prose is accessible yet dense with historical detail, making it a significant resource for understanding the challenges of modern nation-building.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
2019-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190083379
ISBN-13:
9780190083373
History
War
Africa
International relations
Journalism