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Throwing Stones at the Moon

Narratives From Colombians Displaced by Violence
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( 44 ratings, 5 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Throwing Stones at the Moon explores the personal stories of individuals who fled violent conflict amid Colombia's long-standing war involving guerrillas, paramilitaries, and government forces. Through riveting testimonies, it delves into themes of displacement, resilience, and the pursuit of justice, providing a powerful insight into the human impact of political turmoil in Colombia.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in the personal stories behind Colombia's half-century civil war and its impact on ordinary people. Its compilation of testimonies provides a poignant insight into the human toll of conflict, making it a compelling read for those drawn to political history and humanitarian issues.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Since 1964, Colombia has been embroiled in internal armed conflict among guerrilla groups, paramilitary militias, and the country's own military. Civilians in Colombia face a range of abuses from all sides, including killings, disappearances, and rape—and more than four million have been forced to flee their homes. The oral histories in Throwing Stones at the Moon describe the most widespread of Colombia's human rights crises: forced displacement. Speakers recount life before displacement, the reasons for their flight, and their struggle to rebuild their lives.

Narrators include:

Maria Victoria, whose fight against corruption as a hospital union leader 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, she has undergone eight facial reconstructive surgeries and continues to live in hiding.

Danny, who at eighteen joined a right-wing paramilitary's training camp. Initially lured by the promise of quick money, Danny soon realised 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.

Download the corresponding lesson plans on the Voice of Witness website.

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  • Throwing Stones at the Moon
    Since 1964, Colombia has been embroiled in internal armed conflict among guerrilla groups, paramilitary militias, and the country's own military. Civilians in Colombia face a range of abuses from all sides, including killings, disappearances, and rape—and more than four million have been forced to flee their homes. The oral histories in Throwing Stones at the Moon describe the most widespread...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Throwing Stones at the Moon offers a poignant collection of oral histories from Colombians affected by the country's prolonged conflict. Reviewers praise the authors for bringing personal narratives of resilience and struggle to life, shedding light on the humanitarian crisis of forced displacement. The stories capture the mix of cruelty and solidarity, with an underlying call for compassion and justice, making it both a heartbreaking and inspiring read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781642595413

Publisher: Haymarket Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 March 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Haymarket Books

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Edited by Sibylla Brodzinsky
  • Edited by Max Schoening

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 209.0mm

Height: 139.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 380

About the Author

Sibylla Brodzinsky is a freelance journalist who has spent more than twenty years writing about Latin American politics, human rights, and social issues. She is based in Colombia and contributes regularly to the Economist, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Guardian.

Max Schoening is the Colombia researcher for Human Rights Watch. He has written extensively about human rights issues in Colombia, including forced displacement, transitional justice, and abuses against Afro-Colombians.

Ingrid Betancourt is a Colombian politician, former senator and anti-corruption activist. Betancourt was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2002 and was rescued by Colombian security forces six and a half years later in 2008. She has since continued her activism work and has written a memoir about her experience.

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