Throwing Stones at the Moon

Voice of Witness

by Sibylla Brodzinsky (Editor), Max Schoening (Editor)

For nearly five decades, Colombia has been embroiled in internal armed conflict among guerrilla groups, paramilitary militias, and the country’s own military. Civilians in Colombia have to make their lives despite the threat of torture, kidnapping, and large-scale massacres—and more than four million have had to flee their homes. The oral histories in Throwing Stones at the Moondescribe the most widespread of Colombia’s human rights forced displacement. Speakers recount life before displacement, the reasons for their flight, and their struggle to rebuild their lives. Among the JULIA, a hospital union leader whose fight against corruption led to a brutal attempt on her life. In 2009, assassins tracked her to her home and stabbed her seven times in the face and chest. Since the attack, Julia has undergone eight facial reconstructive surgeries, and continues to live in hiding. DANNY, who at eighteen joined a right-wing paramilitary’s enormous training camp in the Eastern Plains of Colombia. Initially lured by the promise of quick money, Danny soon realized his mistake and escaped to Ecuador. He describes his harrowing escape and his struggle to survive as a refugee with two young children to support.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

380 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2012

Reviews

[Swampthing · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most gripping books I have ever read BUT with a MAJOR GAFFE. Thought I'd been jaded on violence in the media for 50+ years of my life, but I actually had to stop reading this book at least twice for a month or so because the atrocities were so deep. The accounts of violence in this book are very detailed and provided by the people who were in the situations. What makes these accounts so incredible is that many have taken place within the past 5-10 years. Even 2012. These are not decades old accounts of ransacking bandits, but modern day stories about the continued corruption and lawlessness on both sides of the fence. A suggestion for a sequel -- focused on the BACRIM or organized crime gangs and their effect on Colombian society.

NOW the problem: There is a very significant woman in my life who is Colombian, and she has limited English. When I told her about the books she was very interested. Unfortunately I could not find a translation of this book in Spanish so that a Colombian could read about what is happening to other Colombians... and to make matters worse, on a recent trip to Bogota, I didn't see the book anywhere in bookstores. I asked the clerks in a few stores, showed them the pictures, even translated the title for them into Spanish... NOTHING. :(

HIGHLY recommend to the author that she have it translated into the native language of the people it is about. That should have been a priority in my opinion. Sorry but such a MAJOR gaffe takes away a full star on an otherwise OUTSTANDING book.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most heart wrenching of the entire Voice of Witness series. The atrocities of the Colombian guerrillas and paramilitary militia were hard enough to process, but then there's Colombia's own military corruption and the staggering number of displaced people to consider. I am glad these books have evolved into such powerful messages from people who otherwise would never be heard.

[Almah LaVon]

The second most brutal book I have ever read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know all of this about Colombia. Makes me want to learn more about South and Latin America in general.

[CPA]

This is NOT for the faint of heart.