Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies, and Aid

by Samantha Nutt

Damned Nations is the brilliant distillation of Samantha Nutt’s observations over the course of fifteen years providing hands-on care in some of the world's most violent flashpoints.

Combining original research with her personal story, it is a deeply thoughtful meditation on war as it is being waged around the world against millions of civilians -- primarily women and children. Samantha's boundless energy, dedication, and compassion shine through on every page as she lays out real, lasting solutions to these problems and shows how to move beyond outdated notions of charity towards a more progressive, inclusive, and respectful world view.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Africa, International Development, Canada, History, War

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2011

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptional account of her humanitarian work in war torn areas of the world.

[Wendy Caron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made the mistake of reading this book on the train, with no kleenex in my purse. Not that this is one of those books that plays-up the horrors of war and manipulates your emotions; rather, Nutt's honest, straight-forward story-telling of her personal involvement in war-torn countries lays it all on the line evoking an honest, unbidden reaction of tears. Nutt provided a balanced mixture of anecdotes and information, the former reinforcing and illustrating the latter. It was impossible not to read the book in the context of current circumstances in Syria and of course, in terms of the efforts of CWEF Tanzania. As an organization we have certainly evolved from our initial approach thanks in no small part to Julie's immersion into the realm of global health but we still have a ways to go. Exposing ourselves to people who know, humanitarians in the field and to SASCO/locals will certainly help. I also couldn't read the book without the ever-present thought that the work Samantha Nutt is doing is Julie's calling and in all likelihood how she will use her MD degree which was humbling, awe-inspiring and yes, a little terrifying.

This book should be read by anyone who wants to become aware of how our actions (individually and nationally) affect/effect things globally. Simply stated, when you know better, you do better. We take so much for granted. The last line of Nutt's book will stay with me forever - "Now that I know how to write my own name, I'm going to learn how to write my son's name." (Nadya,22, Displaced People's Camp, Darfur). So much hope in the face of the atrocities suffered; a testament to the human spirit.

[Lisa Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who works in development, this is the book that I wish so many of my friends who don't work in development would read. It's easy to read, short, and has a nice blend of personal stories and facts. It comes with a Canadian perspective and could really help some people I know to think more critically about the Canadian government and Canadian mining companies abroad. I also think that she really outlines the best way to give - not a 1 month volunteer stint, not your second hand toys, not a donation to hurricane relief, but just regular monthly donations to an organisation that you have really researched and feel strongly about. She also notes that NGO overheads are a must and that we shouldn't look to donate somewhere that has no overheads, but that we should be choosey.

What I don't like as much is her blanket dismissal of larger NGO's - especially when she works with War Child, which is a larger NGO. Also, since I think about this stuff a lot, the book felt a little simple to me. I think my star rating is more about how I think the book would be very informative and readable for people outside the field; as for people in the field, you probably know most of this stuff already.

[CynthiaA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. A whole lot of information to digest -- much of it extremely sobering. But much of it helpful, insightful and hopeful, too. I won't look at "aid" the same ever again. I will be spending a lot of time over the next few days and weeks thinking about this, digesting all her info, and deciding what I personally am going to do about it. Thank you, Samantha Nutt. This was a brave and important work.

[Rehana Lalani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good - so incredibly eye-opening and really made me reflect and question the Western ideals associated with charity and aid. Also extremely heart-wrenching stories about what the author has witnessed in war-torn countries, and how chronic poverty creates systematic conditions for militant groups, widespread assaults, and an endless cycle of war.
I feel like this is one I’ll definitely reread. Really made me question a lot of things that I thought I knew.

[Fereshta · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the most enlightening books on the current state in play within the 3rd sector & how as individuals we can actually make a real difference

[Allie Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those new to the international development context. An extremely accessible description of how the aid system can be improved upon using tragically real stories to demonstrate the importance of making this change.

[Phil Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and poignant critical reflection on the aid sector. The author’s stories provide a unique vantage point to understand ways in which we can improve how development projects and humanitarian relief are delivered. Definitely a recommended read for those interested in the aid sector.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book on the advice of a friend who shares my interest in international women's issues. Damned Nations fully lived up to expectations, providing not only insight but turning into one of the few books in recent memory that I've read without interruption. Dr. Nutt kept me engaged from the start, and my ebook is peppered with highlighted passages. Bravo! I will surely continue to read her work.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm studying international development and this book is a necessary read for anyone interested in it

[Isaac Ying · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book “Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies & Aid” by Samantha Nutt M.D is an autobiography revolving around her 15 years of experience as an aid worker. In the book, Dr. Nutt explores the 21st-century shift to militarism and the elements that create instability and conflict across the globe. She shares gruesome yet emotional stories from her experiences in the war-torn countries of Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. She also shares her opinions on the aid community, what is being done wrong, and how we can bring a positive change to the world, as both individuals and as a nation.



To describe this book in two adjectives, I would say it is both thought-provoking and emotional. The book is thought-provoking as it questions our society's willingness to help those in developing countries. Dr. Nutt depicts the lack of effort to help those in need, the misuse of humanitarian funds, and the companies who take advantage of our will to help to turn a profit. She also makes us question the structure of our society, as she shows readers how our economies profit off of war. It is also thought-provoking in showing the factors that ignite conflict within countries, spreading poverty, famine, and despair. The stories in the book can also be emotional. Dr. Nutt shares her terrifying experiences as a female white aid worker and her experience with violence and communities ravaged by conflict. The emotional aspects of the book are also displayed in her quotes. An example being “From a distance, war is distilled down to geopolitical realities and strategies. But up close, war is personal. It is grandparents gassed to death in Auschwitz. Afghan fathers wrongfully arrested and handed over by NATO forces to be tortured. Little Congolese girls raped until their uteruses rupture and left to bleed to death at the side of the road. An only son who picks up a tiny canister in Iraq believing it to be a toy, only to have it explode in his hands. An abducted Ugandan child soldier made to cut the throat of his younger sister as punishment for attempting to flee. A Canadian recruit on her first tour of duty, returned home to her mother in a body bag. The human dimension of war is always more sobering. And when you’ve been touched by it, you simply cannot turn your back on it.”



Something I learned from reading this book was how hard it can be to stop conflict in developing countries and why the quality of life is so low. I learned that these conflicts are often in heavily ethnized areas, in which feuds last centuries and contain misogynistic and violent groups such as the Taliban and Janjaweed which are resistant to change. Many of these countries also do not have a functional government, and without that foundation change is hard. It was also interesting how easy it is to get weapons in those areas, with developing countries accounting for over 75% of all global arms transfer agreements. Dr. Null states that when an impoverished desperate person gets ahold of a gun, they are more than likely to commit a crime, and if this cycle continues with more and more people getting guns, conflict ensues.



While reading the book, something I really liked was the all the information it held. I learned so much from the book about war, the aid industry, and the importance of our contributions to established charities in order to prevent further human suffering. Another thing that I liked was the clarity of the book. It was concise and there was a steady flow of information mixed in with captivating stories. But, most importantly, it humanized people from developing countries, instead of being just another statistic. In contrast to all that was good about the book, there wasn’t anything in particular that I disliked. However, it put in my attention the many companies selling weapons just to turn a short-term profit. I heavily dislike these companies as in getting money, they are the in-direct cause of the deaths of millions across the world. I think this book and its ideas can and should be implemented in the future, especially with humanitarian crises all across the world, in Yemen, Sudan, Gaza, and too many more countries to name. This book would help aid organizations run more efficiently and allow them to make decisions with the most positive impact on the communities they strive to help.



Overall, this book would be a great read for anyone wanting to get a different, unique, and mature perspective on developing countries. Its stories, opinions, and facts make it an intriguing read for anyone looking to get into the humanitarian aid sector. But more specifically, I would recommend it to the heads of the companies and countries distributing arms to developing countries (including Canada); so, they can realize that the people their business hurts aren’t just another statistic, but another human being.

[Suzanne Arcand · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a righteous, passionate, heartbreaking book! Samantha Nutt doesn’t pull any punches as she guides us on a “guilt trip” through “Damned Nations.” One through which I travelled slowly since it was arduous and enlightening but also humorous at times.

In the chapter one, “Invitation to War,” she takes us to Somalia in the ’90s by relating her experience as a naïve twenty-five years old. Her description of Somalia is both vivid “The first thing about Somalia to confront visitors is the heat. It beats down from above and radiates back from below, turning foreign cheeks a blistering crimson and making the simple act of breathing an effort” and frightening “Gangs of disaffected young men armed with rocket launchers and Kalashnikov rifles owned the streets from the backs of their rusted-out Toyota Hiluxes.” I wanted to scream at her, “Get out of there!” and she did but not before living through a close call with rape, torture and death. It sets the pattern for the rest of the book where factual information is illustrated with personal stories that touched my heart.

Because she doesn’t just offer us a travelogue to exotic locations, she makes us understand that we are not innocent bystander.

Chapter 2, “Chaos Incorporated,” finds her in Congo, “ … a country with many riches. Riches people fight to control, and which are the source of much suffering.” She knows that a consumer boycott of mobile phones is unlikely to happen or help and her suggestions are more pragmatic: abolishing illicit mineral trade and putting the onus on the mining industry. We are the inheritors of colonialism and that our electronic devices some at a very high cost for the Congolese.

Next chapter “Winning Wars, Losing Peace" is set in Iraq where we meet Margaret Hassan, a British national married to an Iraqi, director of CARE International in Iraq, the first of strong heroic women who speak their mind. In a scene that would be humorous if it weren’t pathetic, an American general ask humanitarian organization’s insights into the psychology and needs of the Iraqi people instead of addressing the Iraqi citizen directly.

Chapter 4, “Paved with good intentions,” demonstrates how most of the aids goes to emergency relief and how the different NGOs compete for our dollars.

In Chapter 5, “Pack your Bags We’re Going on a Guilt Trip” we meet Mariam, a midwife, another strong fierce woman. Here Samantha Nutt describes the mass marketing of misery—poverty porn—, the staging of abject poverty, the sponsoring of individual child, volunteer tourism, she explains it as “vestiges of neo-colonialism” cloaked in altruism and proposes us more effective course of action.

In chapter 6, “A Just Cause,” she opens by citing George Orwell “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” Damned Nations was written in 2011 but this quote is more pertinent than ever. She presents measures which she thinks are worth supporting and calls us to action in “The First of Many Steps: What You Can Do.” It’s badly needed hopeful chapter.

With her book, the author nudges us into being more compassionate and into doing the right thing, if only occasionally and according to our means. She doesn’t want our stupid compassion which could make the situation worse instead of better. She clearly explains the difference between humanitarian assistance and development aid and why we should keep a portion of or aid dollars for the later. She asks us not only to support those bigger organizations that attract the manna after every catastrophe but also to contribute to the smaller NGOs that help the developing countries and work with them to put in place effective measures.

Do not invest in armament is another of her admonition. I didn’t know that “… Canada, which is among the world’s top ten arms exporters, has had one of the lowest international Arms Transparency ratings among industrialized economies and that “The Canada Pension Plan … holds more than $200 million in investments in twenty-four of the world’s top one hundred arms-producing companies.”

This is a strong book and a short one that doesn’t take long to read and Mrs. Nutt is too passionate to be boring. Put down your distractions for a few hours and learn, vividly, how our fellow human beings suffer and what we can do effectively to help them. Not because you feel sorry for them but because it’s the right thing to do.

I’m not giving this book five stars because I never give five stars on first reading. I want them to pass the test of time. I wish that Damned Nations will not, that in a few years, it will seem unnecessary and anachronistic but I am not hopeful.

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second, Do No Harm

Passionate, intimate and moving, Nutt takes us to Somalia, the Congo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Liberia, Haiti and Sri Lanka and Burundi providing an insider's look at the state of humanitarian aid in these troublesome regions of the world. Naively most would believe that the aura of saintliness that aid organizations project protects them from being drawn into the conflict itself, but this is far from the case. Alas good intentions may not only be ineffective but in many ways can lead to a prolongation and even a worsening of conditions.

On the ground there are a multitude of issues. One is the lack of good governance on the ground in what are failed states. Aid organizations (including the UN) have to negotiate with the social structure that exists, which often include supplying, negotiating with, and turning a blind eye to war lords, profiteers, corrupt officials, and drugged out child soldiers. Another is that aid organizations are not that much different from corporations in that they compete more than cooperate with each other both for funding but for share of mind on the ground. Thirdly, first world aid tends to favour visible "high velocity" short term goals rather than underlying problems as these tend to attract more donations. In many cases aid can be counterproductive - for example donating clothes in Africa has destroyed the local garment industry; more than one agency offers the gift of a goat - except that goats tear away the roots of plants which leads to increased desertification. Orphanages and adoption? In places such as Haiti number of the children are simply abandoned by their parents - strengthening societal infrastructure so that parents can both plan for and raise children would be preferable, though the situation is made more complex in war zones. Nutt also targets voluntourism in as much as it is often used to make the first world participant feel better about about themselves, but involvement can sideswipe both the local labour economy and the local decision making processes that should lead to self sufficiency. Short term attachments may do more harm than good.

Nutt also inveighs against corporations who also need to deal the same corrupt infrastructure and wishes that here were a Kimberly style process for the rare minerals necessary for the manufacture of high end electronics coming from places such as the Congo. Refined metals are not as easily fingerprinted as diamonds. She also has guarded praise for aid distributed under military programs but wonders how sustainable the approach can be.

Outlining the problem is one thing - coming up with solutions is another. There is more than enough heartbreak - on more than one occasion Nutt recounts being prevented from suicidal attempts at rescue, which would likely have resulted in the death of the people with her as well. She also tells of the death of several local activists at the hands of insurgents. The book with some guidelines for donors but stops short of a definitive rubric - nor should one have expected anything but partial answers to such complex problems.

Recommended.

[Laura McNab-Coombs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read the first edition in probably 2014? The first reading changed me. Stories of the horrific realities of this world sat with me - not in a one-time trauma-porn kind of way where you go through those awful feelings of shock and dismay just to then find a way to console yourself and compartmentalize what you just read somewhere deep in your mind and then return to the status quo, likely never thinking of it again. It sat with me in a way where inaction could not be an option. The second read (the updated 2018 version) has undoubtably re-lit a fire under my ass (so to speak).

Dr. Nutt's extensive experience in the field of humanitarian aid brings to light many of the realities of such work - and not just focusing on evoking an emotional response through the telling of horrific stories of war (although she does share some of these stories, it's not the main component of the book nor is it told in a tokenistic way). She, with great transparency as a well-seasoned aid worker herself, critically analyzes the humanitarian aid world, while also providing guidance for readers on how to best and most responsibly contribute help because despite the challenges and imperfections, humanitarian aid can and does work.

She also provides great insight into the factors that contribute to the development of war, those which continue to perpetuate or allow war (and its accompanying atrocities) to persist, and provides her thoughts and perspectives on how to counter or come up against said factors.

She's a witty and charming writer, and I highly recommend this book.

[Josh]

Wow. This is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to think critically about aid and development (and possibly valuable for those who are already working in that area). Nutt has thought deeply about the structural problems entrenched in the aid industry, and importantly brings to our attention the complacency of government and global investments in funds which ultimately bring about more conflict. The experiences she shares are invaluable learning opportunities, and while some reviewers have commented that she is perhaps overly critical of certain sectors and systems within aid, she also offers extremely practical and sage advice for how to act responsibly and effectively when donating time or money towards aid efforts. I would be extremely curious to know her thoughts on the effective altruism movement. The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism makes a nice paired reading with this book, if you really want to amp up your cynicism in large organizations.

[R S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Samantha Nutt career is marked in international aid work, as she was a medical doctor for UNICEF working with women and children with the public health initiatives. She is not only a fantastic writer but really opened my eyes to the humanitarian efforts at the grassroots level, the corporate mindset of humanitarian relief and aid, as well as what is really going on at the community. She has an impressive career and this book illustrates her knowledge and critical perspective on issues since Gulf War in 1991. Her main take away points of how to break away the cycle of violence is: education, rules of law (legal aid) investing in local people and women, income generation and human rights. Such an eye opening read and fyi this can also be a very tough read especially with regards to violence against women. But this is also the reality and we need to be better informed with what is really going on in the world.

[Miguel Hortiguela]

Wow... Not only did Samantha pull me in by the collars of my shirt, to ensure that I listened and listened attentively, but she also left me wondering how she manages to remain hopeful.

Damned Nations, apart from being an incredibly clever title, is a careful blend of nailbiting story-telling, and heart-wrenching in-your-face facts. Her use of language and descriptions of personal experience kept me in awe and holding back the tears in equal measure, at the turn of each page.

How do any of us remain hopeful that the world can ever be a kinder more compassionate place, knowing that human nature in the form of greed and a fear of scarcity, fuels so much cruelty and apathy? By considering the consequences with every decision we make and showing kindness to every person we speak with. There is no room for indifference.

This is a must-read for anyone with a morsel of conscience.

[Emily Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is undoubtedly the best book I’ve read to date about the complexity of conflict, humanitarian aid, long term development, and what happens when a large number of governments, their militaries, and international and national NGOs work together (or, more often than not, don’t work together).

I will be reading this again before the year ends, and probably annually for the next few years!

It is an absolute must-read for anyone involved in the aid sector – whether voluntary or paid.

I would also highly encourage anyone who donates –regularly or sporadically, large or small – to read this.

It’s eye-opening, provoking, and it changed my perspective completely. I basically ended up highlighting the entire book...

[Wyatt Fredeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

i had to read this for my international studies class, and it definitely informed me of a lot of things that are misrepresented about war, charity, aid, and more concerning violence. it’s not a topic i enjoy reading about because i find it so upsetting, but i’m glad i read it and learned more about this topic. i found a lot of the conversation to be redundant, and i generally just have a lot of confusion when it comes to politics, so those were some problems i had. but overall an interesting read.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book appeals to the truth seeker and conspiracy theorist's heart. I couldn't put this book down from start to finish.

Samantha writes in a simple, easy-to-read, yet eloquent style. Her stories are heart wrenching, and she follows up her shared experiences very smoothly with hard data and facts to support those experiences.

Her arguments are undeniable. Her message is one that must be heard.

[Ryan Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be a must read for anyone considering working internationally, in aid, or a volunteer trip.

Avoid the perils of voluntourism, get a better understanding of aid, and then consider what to do.

Dr. Nutt goes off, to say the least, on where the international community of NGOs gets it wrong and gets it right. Though it’s mostly wrong.

Eye opening and motivating. And infuriating.

[Ashley Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening and informative

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in working for international NGO's or getting involved in humanitarian aid. It is very informative and written beautifully.

[Mohammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eventhough i don’t agree with everything in this book i still think it deserves 5 stars!
The gruesome stories were even too sad to read yet they are some people’s realities! We owe it to them to at least know what has happened to them

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goddamn I feel bad for all the books I’m DNFing as of late. I used to never DNF books lol. I also feel bad for rating this book 3 stars. It’s a good book but not for me. I tend to give three stars to books I’ve enjoyed way less but can still appreciate its quality. :’)

[Justin Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant and truthful examination of the humanitarian and international development industry. Kind of a downer so don't expect positive feel good rose coloured stories but rather a very critical look into what doesn't work.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very eye opening and thought provoking.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opening look at NGOs, and how when you try to help in one spot, it has a ripple effect in another that is often unhelpful.

[AlexInWonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Gripping dive into the complexities of global humanitarian aid. Presents many important questions and moral quandaries to mull over. Be warned, difficult and dark subject matter.

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for any Westerner.

[Malemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I think Nutt should’ve included some sort of disclaimer concerning the quite macabre and lurid details (as it can be triggering); I understand why she had no problem providing the reader with such a vivid understanding of the mass atrocities people in war are subjected to.

Loved the sassiness at points throughout the book. Well written and informative. Being a sceptic when it comes to the issue of foreign aid, I will say this book allowed for me to pause, think and ask myself questions. I particularly commend her on her unapologetic schooling on “voluntourism” and its negative effects. Although I did have to side eye her a little when it came to the cover of the book after reading the chapter on ‘voluntourism.’ Found it a little hypocritical but doesn’t negate the profoundness of what she said in the chapter.

The quote/conversation she has with one of the women at the end of the book was chilling and profound. I closed the book with goosebumps.
Intense but open continuous dialogue is definitely needed when it comes to figuring out this quagmire called foreign aid/humanitarian assistance.