Review of A Dream For Peace

The Holy Grail · Post by **The Holy Grail** » 16 May 2022, 19:26

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Dream For Peace" by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah.]

4 out of 4 stars

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There are many iconic and unmentioned heroes we do not know about. In the history of Africa, specifically, we have so many that have even been forgotten—like those who fought for independence in their countries or sacrificed in one way or another for the greater good. Dr. Ghoulem Berrah is also undoubtedly one of them. Although deceased now, he has left an undeniable footprint of achievements in his portfolio. Such accomplishments include his outstanding academic performance, his research work, and his efforts to promote peace. He was even involved in fighting for Algeria's independence from the French colonial rule. His life memoir, A Dream For Peace, elaborates more about his life.

I've read so many history books about Africa, but it was such an embarrassing shock to me that I've never heard about Dr. Berrah. Some people have been spoken about so much—like Nelson Mandela, who fought against the apartheid regime in South Africa; Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana; Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, the reformist from Tanzania; and even the controversial Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. It's plain that such an iconic figure as Dr. Ghoulem Berrah remained elusive to me, but this book has been very educative. (It's a pity that if you're not popular, no one will know about you no matter what you've done.) It was amazing being so informed after reading the book.

I think this book is realistic—I searched about Dr. Ghoulem Berrah online, and I could prove that everything written about him in the book was true. Information about his education, life, marriage, and achievements can all be found online, and they are all at par with what the book says—only that the book is more detailed and immersive. Out of all his achievements, I loved the one that is related to this book's title the most—how he strove to promote peace. In his commentary, Justo Mullor Garcia (the late) attributed the construction of a mosque and a church to Dr. Berrah. Being a peace-loving Muslim, Justo says, Dr. Ghoulem Berrah helped in building a cathedral to show that there is no need for hostility on religious grounds.

This memoir, in summary, is a celebration of an outstanding and praiseworthy life that is certainly a benchmark of what humanity should be. I enjoyed Dr. Berrah's personality as described in the book—peace-loving, funny, humble, fearless, bold, and generous. Also, the flow was perfect and the narration was enjoyable. There is nothing negative I can say about the book that warrants a lower score, so it deserves a 4 out of 4. The editing was exceptionally well done; I didn't notice any errors.

I recommend this book to history fanatics. Readers who love digging into the history of amazing leaders will find this book worth their time.

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A Dream For Peace
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