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The General

The ordinary man who challenged Guantanamo

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The General

By: Ahmed Errachidi, Gillian Slovo
Narrated by: Amerjit Deu, Gillian Slovo
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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.

 Social Sciences
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Critic reviews

A revelation. People need to read this book
Those who doubt Guantanamo exemplifies American power should read this epic story of a truly brave man who survived to tell the truth
One of the many things that you are left feeling by Errachidi’s account is that there is no such thing as an “ordinary man”; another is that his extraordinary story, with all its surreal and brutal twists, needed telling (Tim Adams)
Remarkable... The General purports to be the story of just one man but this compelling read speaks for every innocent victim in the War on Terror, from the 3,000 murdered on 9/11 to the 30,000 Iraqi and Afghan civilians (Marco Giannangeli)
Anyone at all interested in the state of human rights or democracy in the 21st century should read this. It's a profoundly humane testimonial written by a person whose kindness and dignity uplift. His treatment at the hands of the US Administration beggars belief
This is not the first published account of life in Guantanamo, but it is perhaps the most moving (David Rose)
An account of life in Guantanamo Bay is an unlikely place to turn for a lesson in happiness, but Ahmed Errachidi offers just that (Maggie Fergusson)
An important book which provides a valuable insight into the mental and physical trauma suffered by those who were, and continue to be, detained in the living hell that is Guantanamo (Paddy McGuffin)
Both uplifting and terrifying
This book documents his honesty, courage and fortitude
All stars
Most relevant
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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