Then he became one of about 16,000 boys, ages five to thirteen, who made the agonizing, terrifying 1000-mile trip, without adults, across Sudan to refuge in Ethiopia. Known as the "lost boys of Sudan," they faced snakes, lions, hyenas, starvation, thirst, crocodiles, drowning, injuries, and enemy soldiers. Nhial and Mills do not dwell on the gory details but maintain a certain distance in their writing as they share not only Nhial's experience, but those of other "lost boys" too. They also inform the reader of the history of Sudan, of the civil war which has killed four million southern Sudanese, of the culture and religion of the region, and of the coveted land and resources. They describe the refugee camps where Nhial became a Christian and later where he served the Lord and give an overview of the refugee process that brought him to the United States to prepare him to return to Sudan to serve. This book details not only the heart of a remarkable young man but the heartbreak of half a nation.
It includes notes, a glossary, maps, and a bibliography. The glossary is very helpful because it identifies the abbreviations of organizations, abbreviations that the authors too frequently rely on, leaving the reader momentarily confused. The maps are so small that they do not offer much help, at least not for middle-aged eyes. In spite of these minor problems, Lost Boy No More is well worth reading for anyone interested in true survival accounts, current events, or for the needs of a very needy people. In addition to Lost Boy No More, you may wish to read Francis Bok's Escape from Slavery, a true tale of an amazing young boy who did not escape the marauders. The two books together provide a fuller picture of the tragedy that is Sudan, of two remarkable young men, and of the hand of God. Copyright 2003 - 2013 BlackHistoryReview.com
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