The Devil Came on Horseback

Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur

By: Brian Steidle, Gretchen Steidle Wallace

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings

The Devil Came on Horseback is an intense, vivid autobiographical report from the heart of violent Darfur and a call to action by a former American Marine who became a military observer for the African Union. The first extensive on-the-ground account of the genocide in Sudan, it leads us through the tragic impact of an Arab government bent on destroying its black African citizens and the frustrating complexity of international inaction. At the same time, it is a powerful memoir of one soldier's awakening to conscience and his awkward, heroic transformation from Marine to humanitarian. While bearing witness to unmentionable atrocities, this compelling story offers evidence that the actions of just one committed person have the power to transform the world.©2007 Brian Steidle and Gretchen Steidle Wallace (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Steidle's personal and fluent account effectively channels an idealistic, adventuresome young man's growing frustration and horror in the face of ongoing crimes against humanity and international complacency." (Publishers Weekly)
"The Devil Came on Horseback grabs the reader from page one, then takes us on a journey of Conradian intensity through a circle of hell, its horrors mitigated by moments of humanity....In every sense, the devil is indeed in the details." (Karl E. Meyer, Editor, World Policy Journal)
"Brian Steidle's vivid, compelling account of the on-going genocide in Darfur bears stark witness to the worst humanitarian crisis facing the world today....If you are at all concerned about your fellow man, The Devil Came on Horseback is not only a haunting must read; it is a call to action." (David Freed, Los Angeles Times)

A parade of horrors

If you are looking for an account of atrocities in Sudan, this book will deliver. Much of the author’s account is gut wrenching and maddening. However, his micro view of suffering offers little to make sense of the conflict in Darfur besides baring witness. Steidle spends six months taking pictures and wringing his hands in rage, unable to comprehend the west’s apathy. Perhaps more analysis and less indignation would have made this a more compelling and useful account.

I did not care for the narrator, who did nothing to improve the shallow and smug first person tone.

Wow

It's amazing to learn about what's going on in other places, and it's wonderful to learn that there are people like the author who put their lives asaide to help others in need.

The Devil Came on Horseback

My recommendation- Listen to the fabulous book "An Ordinary Man" by Paul Rusesabagina and then listen to this amazing account on genecide and ask yourself one question: what does the UN really do? As Americans with all of our big, fat luxurious lives able to dissent to our Government without fear of being killed in the middle of the night, are you really enjoying your fresh glass of water? I hope so. This is a must read for all of those who claim to care but only play lip service to civil rights and liberties AND for the rest of us who really want to make a difference. Thank-you Brian and Gretchen, for having the courage to write this book! It is life affirming.

Informative and Authentic

This book was very educational. Although it made me very sad and angry, I am glad that I now have a better understanding of the genocide taking place in and around Darfur. The bureaucracy of the UN does not help the situation. It is frustrating to hear that the UN observers like the author can not intervene. My only suggestion to the author is that more recommendations need to be made. From someone who was so close to the situation for so long, there were not enough suggestions on how to make the situation better.

Compelling Story

This is a first person account of Darfur by an American hero. Interesting story with great perspective. No other American can give this perspective.

The Devil came on horseback - A war of resources

This is a wonderful book because it creates/increases your awareness about the conflict in Darfur. The images in the book are haunting. The book leaves you with the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness because it only reports facts and offers no solution.
Jeff Cummings delivers the story exceptionally well. He first sounds young and naive, then as time goes on, he conveys frustration, sadness, disbelieve and revulsion at all appropriate time.

A Very Haunting Book

I recommend this book because we all need to be aware of the genocide in Darfur. I had very little awareness of this country and its situation prior to this book. Its sad, horrifying and sometimes unbelievable, but, its true from start to finish. The narrator has captured the true horror of it all.

This should be required reading....

This should be required reading for all American High School students in hopes that they will be better informed of the happenings in the world and less self absorbed as most Americans are today. This book is a real eye opener and causes great frustration when we see that still, today, we have not helped in Darfur. We have been too busy interfering in Iraq where we were not invited while the people in Darfur are begging for help. But then.....after all, they have no oil and are black.

A review from a local point of view

What was most disappointing about Brian Steidle and Gretchen Steidle Wallace ’s story?

I am still reading through it and i will update this when I finish.

The narration of incidents might be correct. I KNOW for sure that at least some of the atrocities he described has really happened. However, I disagree with most of his comments and explanations of the same incidents.

For example when he is talking about the "wealthy" army generals he forgets that we are talking about a country whose budget is far less than Manchester United's.

He then talks about the Islamist arabic northern backed government, while everyone in the country is oppressed by that government. Including the Arabs of the North.

Although I can't question the accuracy of the events, I think the writer didn't understand the Sudanese society/culture at all.

Lackluster & Overlong

There are some gripping details in "The Devil Came On Horseback" as well as some touching scenes of humanity. As you might imagine, there are lots and lots of atrocities.

Brian Steidle is undoubtedly a very brave man, and by helping to bring the Darfur crisis to light in America, his actions are certainly commendable. Nonetheless, he still manages to come off as preachy. In coversations with his sister (and co-author), the two siblings make impassioned statements to one another, rather than talk. "Why won't the world listen?"

There is a lot to value in this book, not least that Steidle compiled the information at some risk to himself. I think this narrative would have been better presented as a long magazine article rather than a book.