I Refuse To Die: My Journey for Freedom

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Description

This compelling autobiography describes the extraordinary struggle of an outspoken activist and journalist rising above the horrors of colonisation to offer an uncensored account of Kenya's blood-stained history. Despite his harsh years of imprisonment during which time he was subject to torture followed by exile, he does not speak from a broken perspective. Instead his memoirs are infused with the freedom songs of the Kenyan people and rich with traditional allegorical stories as he fights for justice, buoys for international support, lives and tells.

Reviews

This strange and powerful work mixes memoir, social history, polemic, and manifesto A terrifying work of enormous importance that contrasts humanity with bestiality, dignity with depravity. Kirkus (Starred Review)


Fascinating It is difficult to completeI Refuse to Diewithout admiring Koigi's selflessness and courage. Washington Post Book World


Gripping Despite his personal suffering and Kenya's struggles through colonial and postcolonial strife, wa Wamwere exhibits resilience and optimism in his inspiring autobiography. Booklist


a passionate and poignant testimony to the struggle of one manand by that I also mean one family and one peopleto remember and survive the evil lessons of history. But it is also much more than that. Koigi wa Wamwere, in life and print, challenges us to make freedom a word that means something tangible for all. Rain Taxi

Author Bio

KOIGI WA WAMWERE is a political activist and writer. Born in Kenya in 1949, he has been fighting for social change in his home country for decades. He was imprisoned in Kenya five times between 1975 and 1996, spending a total of thirteen years in prison, including periods during which he was tortured. His execution was averted only by the combined efforts of the Norwegian government and human rights activists around the world. Today, wa Wamwere continues to put his life on the line for human rights, inspiring those around him with his clear vision and personal strength. Wa Wamwere lives in New York City and Kenya.