Reviewed by Zara Komuntale
In his book, “Dancing in the Glory of Monsters”, American author J.K Stearns brilliantly brings to light the complex social and political forces that essentially tore apart a nation. In this deeply compelling book, he chronicles the events that led up to the various wars in Congo between 1996 and 1998. The complexity of the Congo wars cannot fully be understood within a few pages. However, Stearns gives deep insights into how ethnic rivalries and the politics of neighboring countries, coupled with Congo’s own government and political systems contributed in escalating the violence. Overall, this book is an excellent read for anyone who wants to learn more about the Congo wars. Although some of the themes explored may be uncomfortable to read due to the subject matter, it is an enlightening read.
