We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families

Philip Gourevitch's award-winning account documents the 1994 Rwandan genocide through interviews with survivors, perpetrators, and witnesses. The author spent extensive time in Rwanda after the violence, recording testimonies and investigating the events that led to the deaths of an estimated one million people. The book traces Rwanda's colonial history through its independence and the complex social dynamics between Hutus and Tutsis that culminated in mass violence. Through personal narratives and historical research, Gourevitch reconstructs both the immediate buildup to the genocide and its aftermath in Rwandan society. The title comes from a letter written by Tutsi pastors to their church leader, requesting protection from imminent death - a request that went unanswered. This correspondence serves as one of many primary sources Gourevitch uses to piece together the timeline of events and human experiences during this period. The work stands as both a historical record and an examination of how society grapples with mass atrocity, collective guilt, and the challenge of rebuilding in the wake of widespread trauma.

Readers consider this a clear, detailed account of the Rwandan genocide that brings humanity to the statistics through individual stories and testimonies. Readers appreciated: - The precise, methodical explanation of complex historical factors - Personal narratives that make the scale of tragedy comprehensible - Quality of writing and reporting - Focus on survivor accounts rather than just violence - Clear timeline of events Common criticisms: - Too much focus on author's personal observations - Can be difficult to follow the many names and places - Some found the writing style detached - A few readers wanted more analysis of international response Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (32,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (850+ ratings) One reader noted: "Gourevitch gives voices to both survivors and killers, helping readers understand how neighbors turned against neighbors." Another said: "The personal stories hit harder than any statistic could."

A Problem from Hell by Samantha Power This investigation of America's response to genocides throughout the twentieth century provides context for understanding international inaction during the Rwandan massacre.

The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuściński These dispatches from Africa over three decades illuminate the continent's political transformations and human struggles through firsthand accounts.

An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina The autobiography of the hotel manager who sheltered refugees during the Rwandan genocide offers an inside perspective of survival and moral choices during mass violence.

Dancing in the Glory of Monsters by Jason Stearns This examination of the Congo Wars reveals the complex aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and its spillover effects in central Africa.

The Men Who Killed Me by Anne-Marie de Brouwer, Sandra Ka Hon Chu The testimonies of Rwandan genocide survivors document the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon during the conflict.

🔸 The book's title comes from a letter written by Tutsi pastors to their church leader, requesting help before they were killed - help that never came. 🔸 During the genocide, Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) broadcast hate propaganda and even directed killers to specific locations where Tutsis were hiding. 🔸 Philip Gourevitch began his career as a writer for The Forward, America's oldest Jewish newspaper, and continues to write for The New Yorker as a staff writer. 🔸 The Rwandan genocide resulted in the fastest mass killing in recorded history, with an estimated 8,000 people murdered each day for 100 days. 🔸 The book has become required reading in many universities' courses on human rights, genocide studies, and African history, and won the National Book Critics Circle Award.