"Samantha Power has mined the tragic 2003 death of UN High
Commissioner Sergio Vieira de Mello in Iraq to tell an even bigger
story. For three decades Vieira de Mello courageously embodied the
oft-maligned and seemingly hopeless UN mission to bring kindness,
sanity, and peace to a cruel and war-torn world. He ultimately was
martyred to it, struggling to salvage order out of the mess the US
invasion had made in Iraq. In this captivating life story, the
charming Brazilian internationalist emerges as a wry,
Scotch-loving, womanizing philosopher, a kind of secular saint who
wedded his considerable personal ambition to the best hopes of
mankind. It is a stirring portrait of courage and tenaciously
pragmatic idealism." -Mark Bowden, author of "Guests of the
Ayatollah" and national correspondent for "The Atlantic." "The best
way to understand today's messy world is to appreciate the
inspiring life and diplomatic genius of Vieira de Mello. Samantha
Powers has done a brilliant job. This is a co
"The best way to understand today's messy world is to appreciate
the inspiring life and diplomatic genius of Vieira de Mello.
Samantha Powers has done a brilliant job. This is a compelling
biography of a fascinating man but also more: through his life and
tragic death we get a better feel for how to deal with the
challenges of religious extremism, refugees, terrorism, and ethnic
struggle. If only he were still alive! Read this book and weep,
read it and understand, read it and cheer." -- Walter Isaacson,
president of the Aspen Institute and author of "Einstein: His Life
and Universe"
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