The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes

Prendergast, cofounder of the Enough Project, an initiative to end genocide, and Academy Award–nominated actor Cheadle follow their bestselling Not on Our Watch (2007) with an another ambitious appeal to eradicate Africa's most deadly social problems: mass rape, genocide, and the conscription of children. Taking a positive angle, the authors contend that the genocide in Darfur, the employment of rape as a war weapon in Congo, and the use of child soldiers in Uganda is fostering a groundswell of organized resistance and activism that can "bring these nightmares to an end." Despite its unimpeachable aims, the book's execution is shoddy. An extended (and oddly stilted) dialogue between Prendergast and Cheadle serves as a fragile "narrative spine" to connect a farrago of history, commentary, and personal testimonials from survivors, activists, and a glut of celebrities, among them Mia Farrow, Ben Affleck, and Angelina Jolie. Prendergast and Cheadle conclude with an appeal for a "people's movement" to press governments to implement a strategy of "promoting peace, providing civilian protection, and ensuring punishment of the perpetrators"—the 3Ps—that they argue will end these crimes against humanity. (Sept.)