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The General

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The General

By: Ahmed Errachidi, Gillian Slovo
Narrated by: Amerjit Deu
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About this listen

On 11 September 2001, in a café in London, Ahmed Errachidi watched as the twin towers collapsed. He was appalled by the loss of innocent life. But he couldn’t possibly have predicted how much of his own life he too would lose because of that day.

In a series of terrible events, Ahmed was sold by the Pakistanis to the Americans in the diplomatic lounge at Islamabad airport and spent five and a half years in Guantanamo. There, he was beaten, tortured, humiliated, very nearly destroyed.

But Ahmed did not give in. This very ordinary, Moroccan-born London chef became a leader of men. Known by the authorities as The General, he devised protests and resistance by any means possible. As a result, he spent most of his time in solitary confinement. But then, after all those years, Ahmed was freed, his innocence admitted.

This is Ahmed’s story. It will make you rethink what it means to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It will also make you look anew at courage, survival, justice and the War on Terror.

©2013 Ahmed Errachidi (P)2013 Penguin Audio
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I couldn't understand why soldiers would be scared of water but apart from that and a couple of other moments, this book is a harrowing read. Also don't do too well on religious books but that is central to the book and the book wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that! The enormity of this mans character and courage is amazing. The stilted narration - you get used to. Give it a go.

Disturbing listening but couldn't stop!

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