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Another Man's War: The True Story Of One Man's Battle To Save Children In The Sudan (2009)

by Sam Childers(Favorite Author)

4 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

159555162X (ISBN13: 9781595551627)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Thomas Nelson Publishers

review 1: Should I support a loud-mouthed gun-toting American preacher whose first words in public are 'I'm going to be asking you for money'? Sam Childers became involved in a mission to rescue kids from the lawless militia groups in southern Sudan after converting to Christianity from a life of sex, drugs and general thuggery. To get the job done, he has hooked up with the official army of southern Sudan, who provide additional protection to the personal weapons he carries himself. I don't think there is any doubt that he is working in an area with significant need, and even greater personal danger. This alone makes the book worth reading (or the movie, although there is apparently some license taken that Sam begrudgingly allowed): it is a stark reminder that there are many in the... more world whose lives are far from what I am used to calling good. But does this justify my monetary support? Even if the intent is justified, are the means? I was particularly interested in finding out how Childers rationalized being a machine gun preacher. I resolved personally that to take up a weapon with the intent Ito kill was not something I could do in good conscience, and did not join the army reserve at university as a result. Philosophically, I can understand that a Christian could be part of the military, especially where national defense is involved. Voluntarily joining a quasi-Guerilla army with a willingness to kill opposition rebels seems another notch up in terms of ethical dilemmas. (Unfortunately, many of the rebels are also child soldiers, kidnapped and brainwashed at a young age with little understanding of what they are truly doing). In neither his talk, or his book, we are never really given an answer to this question, or at least we never know whether he has personally killed others in the course of his mission. The best we get seems to be that the rebel's leader is evil and he along with many of his followers more or less deserve death, and given the chance, Childers is willing to carry this out. This said, the book is not meant to address my questions, and the intention to tell in a simple manner, who he is and what his mission involves. A direct question in his talk along the lines of my interest was not directly answered. I am open to agreeing and somewhat more persuaded after reading the book than I was beforehand. Sam Childers is a rough and ready guy with a big heart and well intended and outspoken convictions. No doubt it is the actions that result from this that matter more to Sudanese kids than any opinion I have either way!
review 2: This is the memoir of the "machine gun preacher", who runs an orphanage in the Sudan for children kidnapped by the military, or separated in some way from their parents. He talks about his mission, but also about his life, the early portion of which was spent selling/taking drugs and fighting. He has an interesting take on Christianity, but if his story is to be believed, he has redeemed himself since with all his missionary work for the children of Sudan. And I guess that's why my review is just "OK". I hate to be cynical, but it's hard to know what to believe. In any case it's a quick read, and you do find out more about politics in Sudan and Uganda. less

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