Overview

Kamil Idris, a man proud of his nomad ancestry, survived child labouring in darkened factories, boyhood journeys to Cairo balanced on the top of trains, hazardous treks to Europe in his teens, capture and death threats from piratical Nile fishermen who thought he was an evil spirit or djinn, and even being stranded in the ferocious heat of the Nubian desert. In later life he was arrested and placed under house surveillance with his immediate family, because of his views on human rights and political reform. Inspired by a promise to Nelson Mandela to write his memoir, the book is a cameo of a loving family devastated by a series of tragedies, of ancient souks, camel markets, eccentric characters, philosopher kings, and his father`s tales of the earliest days of Africa, Nubia and the first wanderings of mankind. As a child Kamil was taken to Meroe to gaze at the remains of the fabulous Kingdom of Kush which boasts twice as many pyramids as Egypt. Moreover, recent excavations are lifting a veil on the rediscovery of Sudan`s astonishing Black Pharaohs, who once ruled over the whole of north east Africa and beyond over two and a half thousand years ago. Above all the memoir is a magnificent celebration of and a tribute to Kamil`s beloved and enduring River Nile, which he sees as a metaphor for all our destinies. It is an incredible story.

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9781910223963

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I invite schools in Africa and the Arab world to make this book available to the young generation. Nelson Mandela was right when he urged Kamil Idris to write his autobiography and it is my pleasure to write a commendation to this moving memoir. - H.E. Dr Amre Mousa, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and former Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS) (Egypt) The story is a testimony to the achievement of the human spirit in overcoming adversity and is a treasure trove of fascinating diversions into history and philosophy. I commend it for its courage and its vision of a future based on brotherhood, acceptance and a rejection of violence. - Imam El-Sadiq El-Mahdi, Former Prime Minister of Sudan 1966-1967. 1986-1989. A testament to the powerful bond of humanity that defies the fault lines of colour, religion and ethnicity. - H.E. Dr Mohamed El Baradie, Former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Nobel Prize Laurette (Egypt) This is a fascinating and highly readable memoir, full of insights into human nature and international politics. I recommend it to all readers. - H.E. Ambassador Brunson McKinley, former Director General, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) (USA) This odyssey mirrors the stamina, compassion and tolerance that typify Kamil's life. - Professor Makram Khoury-Machool, Director, The European Centre for the Study of Extremism, Cambridge, England (Palestine/ UK)

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