Book Recommendations
The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver Missionary family goes to the Congo in the 1960s Parents and 4 girls Culture shock for both family and village Family tragedy, disintegration, transformation Over 30 years Some return to U.S., some stay http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0060512822.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg http://www.cavalierdaily.com/.Archives/2001/07/12/lfpoisonwood.gif
Background: Congo Portugeuse exported 1,000,000 slaves starting 1500s Belgian colony 20th century Mining: diamonds, cobalt, copper, zinc, uranium Rubber plantations Forced labor Life expectancy = 30 yrs in 1950s Independence 1960 Elected president arrested, killed CIA involvement Mobutu government installed by U.S. Repressive, corrupt Overthrown in 1997 Civil war killed 4 million people More than any war since WWII http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/educators/lessonplans/graphics/congomap2.jpg
The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini Boys grow up in war torn Afghanistan Gripping story of Friendship Genocide Betrayal Courage Personal growth Ending in immigration to the U.S. http://www.smpl.org/cwr/kite%20runner.jpg
A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini Two girls grow up in different parts of war-torn Afghanistan Become wives to the same husband Tragedy and survival in the Taliban regime http://www.illiterarty.com/files/www.illiterarty.com/img/119/a_thousand_splendid_suns.jpg
Afghanistan: Background Many ethnic groups, militias fighting for years Soviet takeover in late 70s 1 million people killed Women encouraged in education, professions 70% of teachers 50% of students at university 40% of doctors Soviets pull out in late 80s Taliban takes over Very conservative Islam Repression of women Increased poverty Taliban driven out by U.S. in 2001 Still a problem http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/AFGHAN-W1.gif