The World's Most Dangerous Place: Inside the Outlaw State of Somalia

First of, let's regret the easy and sensationalist title that doesn't make for a good first impression! Stamping thus Somalia straight of as 'the world's most dangerous place', and being written by a British journalist to depict a country that had more than his fair share of misunderstanding by the western medias I had (yes, simply because of such a poor title!) braced myself for yet again one of those dismissive tale of an hopeless country pointing to everything wrong with Africa! Well, I am glad I passed that and read it anyway, because it's not quite and only so.

Starting when AMISOM forces fought al-Shabaab in the streets of Mogadishu and, ending when al-Shabaab retreated from most of their conquered territories, here indeed is a show more riveting reportage as interesting as it is harrowing. Travelling around Somalia, sometimes at the risk of his life, the author meets from presidents to pirates, AMISOM soldiers to al-Shabaab deserters and, of course, commoners of all sorts to offer a complex but fascinating snapshot of a baffling country.

Sure it is, at times, gruesome, disturbing, and makes you want to weep in despair (e.g. the constant violence, children soldiers, the disastrous consequences of the famine). It can also be frankly annoyingly unfair and simplistic as when, to try and delve into the far reaching consequences of the civil war James Fergusson meets Somali both in the UK (London) and the US (Minneapolis) to show how easily a lost generation of immigrants can slip into gangs and terrorism! But, a least all this is quite balanced by his meetings with various activists at home and abroad and, most of all, his depiction of the Puntland and Somaliland, to show that successful alternatives are possible. More, pointing fingers at how the West can misunderstand such a region, and therefore completely mismanaged its crisis, such reads also allows for a fair share of the blame to show why Somalia is in the poor state it is.

Bitter and sad picture of a country with a tragic history? Yes. But it nevertheless contains some glimpses of hope for those optimistic enough to believe in possible changes. All in all, an insightful reportage. show less

Mostly excellent, amazing reporting style and first person interviews. Hard to argue with the conclusions the author draws.