Idi Amin

Children's Literature - Greg M. Romaneck

When Idi Amin seized power in Uganda in 1971 he was greeted as a military hero. Within a few days Amin was known to be a brutal leader who coldly executed all opponents within his reach. In this illustrated biography readers are given an opportunity to meet a leader whose propensity for violence shaped the history of his nation. In this title, a part of the "A Wicked History-20th Century" series, writer Steve Dougherty traces the life and times of an African ruler who rose up from the ranks of the Ugandan Army. Amin was a brutal commander whose exploits during his military career included wanton murder, torture, and the brutalization of thousands of people. Once Amin rose to supreme power in Uganda, those tendencies became magnified and affected the entire nation. This particular biography graphically relates the nature of Amin and the effects his personality had upon the nation he ruled. Of particular interest are the pages dedicated to Amin's reaction to the Israeli commando attack at Entebbe Airport and his innate ability to exert cruelty in his behavior. Through a combination of careful research, well developed narrative, and an eye for historical detail, Steve Dougherty has crafted a fine biography and one that readers will remember. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck