Review of A Dream For Peace

[Kajori Sheryl Paul]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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Peace and stability are the keys to development in any country. Despite this, wars and terrorism abound in our world. Dr. Ghoulem Berrah dedicated his entire life to building a better world.

In his memoir, A Dream for Peace, Dr. Ghoulem Berrah chronicles his life as an ambassador of peace. Born an Algerian, Dr. Berrah spent his student life fighting for the independence of his nation. When his brilliant mind gave him an exclusive opportunity to pursue his studies in the United States, he made inimitable contributions to the field of science. His innate need to work for the betterment of Africa prompted him to leave his cushy life in the States and take up the position of a special advisor to President Fèlix Houphouët-Boigny of Côte d'Ivoire. Under President Houphouët-Boigny's tutelage, he toured the world and worked tirelessly for the development of Africa and the Middle East. Even at the risk of his life, he never stopped his pursuit of peace and harmony.

Through A Dream for Peace, Dr. Ghoulem Berrah takes us on a journey of a lifetime. We are indeed very fortunate that he decided to share with us his illustrious life story. Dr. Berrah was a one-of-a-kind man. Ever since his childhood, he worked for the betterment of others with no hope of any reward in return. He is a role model that all of us should emulate.

Dr. Ghoulem Berrah was a consummate storyteller. This is evident in his writing. I was so engrossed in his tale that I did not even feel the passage of time. Before I knew it, I was at the end of this vast treatise. I learned a lot from A Dream for Peace. From the Algerian War of Independence and the freedom struggles of various colonial countries to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the apartheid in South Africa, Dr. Berrah gives us an insider's insight into it all. I was astounded by the effects of the Cold War in Africa. The tribal disputes and the internal clashes between the Africans and the Arabs flabbergasted me. I was awed by President Houphouët-Boigny. He was a true statesman, who dedicated himself to the upliftment of not only Côte d'Ivoire but also Africa as a whole. He never shied away from helping his neighboring countries. Dr. Berrah and President Houphouët-Boigny's relentless efforts to bring about a solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine made me respect them all the more. President Houphouët-Boigny was a true father figure to Dr. Berrah. He was always there for him. I loved their interactions. He even supported him during his tumultuous courtship with his wife. I have to say Dr. Berrah's love life was nothing short of a movie. His relationship with Titi would surely reinstate anyone's belief in love.

Dr. Berrah traveled the world and came across a plethora of luminaries. From various American and European presidents and politicians to the heads of state of a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East, Dr. Berrah came in close contact with them all. I was happy to be privy to the inner circle of the highest political echelons through Dr. Berrah's story. "Diplomacy of Smiles" was one of my favorite chapters in the book. I laughed out loud at the many humorous incidents shared in this section. I am sure that the frog incident with Dr. Julius Nyerere would be entrenched in my mind forever.

I was awe-struck by Dr. Berrah's belief in the harmony of all religions. Though he was a devout Muslim, he respected and closely followed all other faiths. I loved how he described his pilgrimage to Mecca in detail. I was happy to follow him and his wife as they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Along with them, I got to experience the wonders of Jerusalem, the holy place for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Dr. Berrah's appreciation of Buddhist and Hindu principles, among other faiths, impressed me as well. Like Dr. Berrah, I too believe that interfaith harmony is the key to living fulfilled lives. Dr. Berrah's love and respect for all faiths make this book suitable for people of all religions. I believe even atheists and non-believers would not find anything objectionable as Dr. Berah did not force his beliefs on anyone.

Dr. Ghoulem Berrah's A Dream for Peace is a treasure trove of information. I loved how Dr. Berrah was thoughtful enough to include photographs and copies of historical documents in his book. This book is a must-read for all politicians and diplomats. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wishes to make this world a better place. People who enjoy reading political memoirs will love this book.

I was fortunate to read A Dream for Peace. Apart from a few errors, the book is absolutely flawless. Also, the errors were negligible. They did not affect my reading experience at all. Hence, I am more than happy to rate Dr. Ghoulem Berrah's A Dream for Peace 5 out of 5 stars.

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A Dream For Peace
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[Kelvin Modilim]

The book's comprehensive approach to documenting the Algerian struggle provides a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of decolonization and its impact.

[Kajori Sheryl Paul]

The book's comprehensive approach to documenting the Algerian struggle provides a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of decolonization and its impact.

I completely agree.

Thank you for stopping by!

[Ajay Rudrapati]

I am very much awaited to read this book, Your review motivated me to read this book ASAP. The way you inculcated the details of the book in a very clear manner is impressive. Thank you