Its Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistle Blower by Michela Wrong (Engl

Description: Its Our Turn to Eat by Michela Wrong A gripping account of both an individual caught on the horns of an excruciating moral dilemma and a continent at a turning point. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description A gripping account of both an individual caught on the horns of an excruciating moral dilemma and a continent at a turning point. When Michela Wrongs Kenyan friend John Githongo appeared one cold February morning on the doorstep of her London flat, carrying a small mountain of luggage, it was clear something had gone very wrong in a country regarded until then as one of Africas few budding success stories.Two years earlier, in the wave of euphoria that followed the election defeat of long-serving President Daniel arap Moi, John had been appointed Kenyas new anti-corruption czar. In choosing this giant of a man, respected as a longstanding anti-corruption crusader, the new government was signalling that it was set on ending the practices that had made Kenya an international by-word for sleaze.Now John was on the run, having realised that the new administration, far from breaking with the past, was using near-identical techniques to pilfer public funds. Johns tale, which has all the elements of a political thriller, is the story of how a brave man came to make a lonely decision with huge ramifications. But his story transcends the personal, touching as it does on the cultural, historical and social themes that lie at the heart of the continents continuing crisis.Tracking this story of an African whistleblower, Michela Wrong seeks answers to the questions that have puzzled outsiders for decades. What is it about African society that makes corruption so hard to eradicate, so sweeping in its scope, so destructive in its impact? Why have so many African presidents found it so easy to reduce all political discussion to the self-serving calculation of which tribe gets to eat? And at what stage will Africans start placing the wider interests of their nation ahead of the narrow interests of their tribe? Notes Subtitled, The Story Of A Kenyan Whistle Blower. John Githongo was once Kenyas anti-corruption czar, but went on the run after discovering that the new government pilfered public funds just like the old one. Tracking his story, Wrong examines the cultural, historical and social themes that lie at the heart of Africas continuing crisis. Author Biography Michela Wrong is a distinguished international journalist, and has worked as a foreign correspondent covering events across the African continent for Reuters, the BBC and the Financial Times.Based on her experiences in Africa, In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz, her first book, won the PEN James Sterne Prize for non-fiction. Her book I Didnt Do It for You (2006) builds upon her shocking experiences, and focuses on the African nation of Eritrea.In 2015, she published Borderlines, her first novel.Michela Wrong is based in London. Review A down-to-earth yet sophisticated expose of how an entire country can be munched in the clammy claws of corruption. The Economist, BOOKS OF THE YEARA lively and detailed account of the looting of Kenya by its politicians…A shocking tale told with verve and suspense. The TimesAn exceptionally talented writer…More than a story about a whistle-blower, and more than about Kenya. It could have been written anywhere where corruption is endemic. GuardianThe story offers a fascinating insight into Kenya and is a thrilling whodunit, worthy of John Le Carre. the london paperMichella Wrong has written a compelling book. Well researched, poignant. Graham Boyton, Daily TelegraphA gripping new biography-cum-thriller. Evening Standard Promotional A powerful memoir of Kenyan politics and corruption Kirkus US Review Slate African affairs writer Wrong considers the life of a friend who exposed a Kenyan government-corruption scandal from the inside out.The author met 30-something John Githongo in the mid-90s after relocating to Nairobi, where both worked as journalists. During the 2002 election, Mwai Kibaki, running on an anti-corruption platform, succeeded much-criticized outgoing President Daniel arap Moi. Kibaki appointed Githongo as Permanent Secretary in Charge of Governance and Ethics, a watchdog role that Wrong cautioned her peer could nullify his party neutrality. Though the imposing Githongo believed he was a perfect fit for the position, little more than a year passed before Wrong began receiving a barrage of messages about the enemies Githongo had accumulated. Soon after he appeared on her doorstep, desperate to resign, alleging major interadministration corruption. Accusations of complicity festered among Kenyas political insiders, followed by a government-sanctioned manhunt. Githongo taped conversations and secured informants who fed him classified information on bribery, scams and weapons procurement. When he launched an aggressive investigation into a leasing-company contracts scandal, Justice Minister Kiraitu Murungi admitted that the company was actually a governmental operation. Wrong makes clear that whistle-blowing often results in the charge of high treason, punishable by death in Kenya. Githongo went into exile in 2005 in Britain, then rallied the media and exposed evidence of what would become known as the Anglo-Leasing scandal. In a well-rounded approach, Wrong dispatches details on her parents genealogies and worldviews, Githongos heritage and an extensive discussion of Kenyan government, demographics and the multifarious history of corruption under both the Moi and Kibaki administrations.A solid investigative expose. (Kirkus Reviews) Prizes Short-listed for Orwell Prize 2010 Long Description A gripping account of both an individual caught on the horns of an excruciating moral dilemma and a continent at a turning point. When Michela Wrongs Kenyan friend John Githongo appeared one cold February morning on the doorstep of her London flat, carrying a small mountain of luggage, it was clear something had gone very wrong in a country regarded until then as one of Africas few budding success stories. Two years earlier, in the wave of euphoria that followed the election defeat of long-serving President Daniel arap Moi, John had been appointed Kenyas new anti-corruption czar. In choosing this giant of a man, respected as a longstanding anti-corruption crusader, the new government was signalling that it was set on ending the practices that had made Kenya an international by-word for sleaze. Now John was on the run, having realised that the new administration, far from breaking with the past, was using near-identical techniques to pilfer public funds. Johns tale, which has all the elements of a political thriller, is the story of how a brave man came to make a lonely decision with huge ramifications. But his story transcends the personal, touching as it does on the cultural, historical and social themes that lie at the heart of the continents continuing crisis. Tracking this story of an African whistleblower, Michela Wrong seeks answers to the questions that have puzzled outsiders for decades. What is it about African society that makes corruption so hard to eradicate, so sweeping in its scope, so destructive in its impact? Why have so many African presidents found it so easy to reduce all political discussion to the self-serving calculation of which tribe gets to eat? And at what stage will Africans start placing the wider interests of their nation ahead of the narrow interests of their tribe? Review Quote "Its Our Turn to Eat", Michela Wrongs third book on Africa, is a lively and detailed account of the looting of Kenya by its politicians…A shocking tale told with verve and suspense. The TimesMichela Wrong is an exceptionally talented writer…This is one of those rare books that deliver more than the title suggests. It is more than a story about a whistle-blower, and more than about Kenya. It could have been written anywhere where corruption is endemic. GuardianMichella Wrong has written a compelling book.. Well researched, poignant. Graham Boyton, TelegraphA gripping new biography-cum-thriller. Evening Standard[A] fascinating, richly researched and important new book. Bernard Porter, London Review of BooksA down-to-earth yet sophisticated expose of how an entire country can be munched in the clammy claws of corruption. EconomistVivid, journalistic study of corruption. Paul Collier, IndependentThe story offers a fascinating insight into Kenya and is a thrilling whodunit, worthy of John Le Carre. the london paper Feature * Michela Wrong has worked as a foreign correspondent for Reuters, the BBC and the Financial Times. * Wrongs first book, In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz, won the PEN James Sterne Prize for non-fiction. * The TPB edition has sold nearly 4,000 copies through TCM and was widely praised across the broadsheet press. Description for Sales People A gripping account of both an individual caught on the horns of an excruciating moral dilemma and a continent at a turning point. When Michela Wrongs Kenyan friend John Githongo appeared one cold February morning on the doorstep of her London flat, carrying a small mountain of luggage, it was clear something had gone very wrong in a country regarded until then as one of Africas few budding success stories. Two years earlier, in the wave of euphoria that followed the election defeat of long-serving President Daniel arap Moi, John had been appointed Kenyas new anti-corruption czar. In choosing this giant of a man, respected as a longstanding anti-corruption crusader, the new government was signalling that it was set on ending the practices that had made Kenya an international by-word for sleaze. Now John was on the run, having realised that the new administration, far from breaking with the past, was using near-identical techniques to pilfer public funds. Johns tale, which has all the elements of a political thriller, is the story of how a brave man came to make a lonely decision with huge ramifications. But his story transcends the personal, touching as it does on the cultural, historical and social themes that lie at the heart of the continents continuing crisis. Tracking this story of an African whistleblower, Michela Wrong seeks answers to the questions that have puzzled outsiders for decades. What is it about African society that makes corruption so hard to eradicate, so sweeping in its scope, so destructive in its impact? Why have so many African presidents found it so easy to reduce all political discussion to the self-serving calculation of which tribe gets to eat? And at what stage will Africans start placing the wider interests of their nation ahead of the narrow interests of their tribe? * Michela Wrong has worked as a foreign correspondent for Reuters, the BBC and the Financial Times. * Wrongs first book, In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz, won the PEN James Sterne Prize for non-fiction. * The TPB edition has sold nearly 4,000 copies through TCM and was widely praised across the broadsheet press. Details ISBN0007241976 Author Michela Wrong Pages 400 ISBN-10 0007241976 ISBN-13 9780007241972 Format Paperback Media Book Imprint Fourth Estate Ltd Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 967.62043092 Language English Year 2010 Publication Date 2010-01-07 Short Title Its Our Turn to Eat Subtitle The Story of a Kenyan Whistle Blower UK Release Date 2010-01-07 Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Alternative 9780007325115 Audience General AU Release Date 2010-03-24 NZ Release Date 2010-03-31 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:24458588;

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