The History of Mexico by Burton Kirkwood is a great book, although a little "textbooky". It covers everything from the Mayans, Aztecs, the Conquistadors, the wars of Mexican independence, the Porfiriato, the Mexican revolution, right up to present times. If you're looking for an interesting read, this is a good one!
I recently watched the movie "Blood Diamond" and was completely captivated by it. I knew about blood diamonds, but I guess I was a little naive about the truth behind them. The movie left me ashamed of having wanted a diamond ring, and more ashamed of actually wearing them. This movie grabbed my heart, and so I wanted to learn more about Sierra Leone and the trade of blood diamonds. (This is where Amazon.ca comes in again.....)
Blood Diamonds by Greg Campbell is the story of how diamond smuggling works, how the rebel war has destroyed Sierra Leone and how the policies of the diamond industry allowed it all to happen. I haven't read the book yet, but I'll let you know how it is.
A Long Way Gone - memoirs of a boy soldier by Ishmael Beah is a biography recounting how the author fled attacking rebels in Sierra Leone, joined the army, was removed from fighting at age 16 by UNICEF, learned to forgive himself for the terrible acts he committed and learned to love himself once again.
The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara chronicles how the author, while living in a small rural village near Sierra Leone was attacked by rebels who cut off her hands. She survived and is now living Toronto, Ontario attending school.
I know these books are going to affect me in many ways, but reading the truths about mankind can only bring a better understanding of the world, and the people who inhabit it. Even if the subject is atrocious and horrific, it has really happened, and I'm willing to open myself to it instead of turning a blind eye.
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