Chasing the Flame

I just finished Chasing the Flame, the biography of Sergio Vieira de Mello by Samantha Power and was absolutely blown away. I've already written briefly about Sergio and it is very hard to say what has not already been said. All I can say is I strongly recommend reading this. One of my all time favorites and Sergio is truly my hero.

This is a man who spent his entire career helping those most in need. In addition he held his PhD in Philosophy from the Sorbonne in Paris, spoke 5 languages fluently and could mix just as easily with the refugees he was helping as he could with the leaders he was trying to influence later in his career.

In addition to telling Sergio's story, the book is a wonderful primer on the worst conflicts of the latter part of the 20th century as well as the Iraq conflict all while addressing some impossible questions:

- If a Rwandan refugee camp is made up of both civilians as well as "genocidaires" who are literally sharpening their knives for future battle, what is the best thing to do? Should the UN give aid and support murderers, or cut off aid and force more suffering on innocent bystanders?

- Should ruthless leaders be catered to in order to retain channels through which to deliver aid?

These were the kinds of questions that Sergio was forced to grapple with and it is fascinating to see how his beliefs evolved over the course of his life.

Here are a few good links relating to Sergio and Power but please, read the book.

Chasing the Flame - official site of the various projects going on about Sergio, including the book as well as info about the movie planned for this year, being done by the guy who did Hotel Rwanda

The Lives They Lived - great NYTimes piece on Sergio