This is a fantastically well researched book which displays Michella Wrong's deep understanding of the politics of central Africa and the Great Lakes area. It is compelling to read and should be high on the list for anyone with an interest in central and eastern Africa. If the protagonists (Kagame, et al) were guilty of a fraction of the actions described, we should be taking the conventional wisdom about Rwanda with deep scepticism.

Like many people my knowledge of Rwanda shamefully begins and ends with patchy knowledge of the genocide of the Tutsi tribe by the Hutu militia. Whilst this book doesn't serve to fully correct my knowledge gaps, it does serve to flesh out the appalling story and shines a light on the fallacy and convenient narrative of atrocity being contained to 1994. Kagame takes centre stage with his paranoia, pettiness and hypocrisy in a tale that should have many reexamining their attitudes toward the accepted course of events. The blur of unfamiliar names can get a little overwhelming at times, but Wrong is a superb guide and builds the tale as both a mixture of classic Le Carre and love letter to the area.