Aiden Chapman > Recent Status Updates

Start Date: 2/9/26. The detail of Goldstein's face resembling that of a sheep is something I immediately picked up as classic Orwellian irony, as it is rather the ones who become enraged during the Two Minute Hate that become sheeplike, acting the same with no processing. Their hateful reaction to this film in comparison to the laughter they get out of war films showing civilian death further added to such irony.

Your Worst Enemy, essentially Benson's version of the Escape Palataka chapter, was such an intense read. This autobiography showcasing the extent of how the human spirit can supersede what should be physically impossible for these boys is something that I cannot get over, especially when Benson said, "Inside me the feelings of how happy I would be to reach the camp allowed me to forget the pain of each step." (p 244)

Still unbelievable how Benson, at just 12 years old, shows how capable and knowledgeable he is with how he's able to not only able to gather the necessary ingredients, but knows exactly how to create an effective medicine to help Alepho with his yellow fever. Not to mention how these boys, who aren't even teenagers yet, are out here excavating mountains and building roads. Insane.

One of this book's main themes is how the fog of war completely animalizes human behavior and eradicates empathy, so finally being able to see some good interactions from people outside these boys' family tree was a breath of fresh air, such as the Ethiopian woman showing forgiveness after accusing Benson of theft, and the solider in the Nissan standing up for Alepho and calling out the man that wanted to beat him.

Escape Palataka has probably been the craziest chapter so far, and seeing the specific instinctual thoughts of these boys was very impactful, including how Alepho recounts being told to, “if you don’t expect water, don’t eat.” And how he was able to SMELL water from miles away? Another interesting thing is the lack of info on such tragic events, such as the 1985 Wau Student Massacre that Yier recounts.

Probably the first moment in this entire book where things have began to look up for these boys, only took 154 pages!

I actually read to page 136 on December 7th but am just now updating after getting back into reading this book, and the fact that I'm still not even halfway to finishing this story after all of the bombardment and suffering that these boys have had to go through so far is astonishing. I was confused as to why they'd be targeted by Ethiopian forces, but that's the point. They're confused and scared too.

As hard of a read that this is, I really cannot stop thinking about this book and wanting to continue reading it. I found that exchange between Alepho and Peter on 116 to also stand out to me, especially considering Alepho was only five or six? "You have to think about what brought you here. You can't complain about being a hen; you have to do everything to stay alive."

Not even a third-way through the book and this is such a hard-read but obviously as it should be. The glossing-over of the quantity of deaths of such young boys is actually devastating and the detail of that boy Baak going crazy over his family's deaths is actually one of the saddest things I've ever read. The next part where Alepho talks about the girl and getting another detail of how inhumane the war is... wow.

Not even halfway through chapter two and I know for a fact I wouldn't have survived this. I need to constantly remind myself that this book isn't fictional and these young boys really did go through such insane and improbable circumstances just for a chance at survival.

That story of Deng and Asunta is one of the most touching and incredible stories I’ve ever read. This book has been really captivating, and I’ve only really read through the contextual background so far. The raw presentation of life in rural Sudan answered a lot of questions I’ve always wondered about and gave so much insight. My goal is to finish this book before the end of the year.

I wasn't sure how invested I'd be considering this isn't a story-book but I really am enjoying the way that Hall interweaves aspects of the stories he's discussing into explaining his points.

Feels like I’m reading this book at the right time in my life haha

peak.

peak.

ABSOLUTE CINEMA BUT HOW IS THIS STILL GOING??? AND ITS STILL GETTING CRAZIER

Not the plot twist I was expecting but im interested… I was getting confused at how we still have two more books after this but it makes sense now haha

Things are going TOO well rn somebody might die 3

I’ve reached chapter 30 yo HOW is this going to end??

WTF yeah no shot yo 3

SMOKING THAT SEBASTIAN PACK 🥷💨💨 but fr how is conrad NOT dead 💀💀

Enjoyed part 2 much more than part 1.