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" I read this while in Uganda which certainly added a little something to its mystique. But it was a remarkable story that really brings the Uganda that I saw to life. Even if you saw the movie the book is still worth reading. There are definitely some scenes of gruesome violence so if that makes you squemish, I would skip those parts, because it's still worth reading. As is often the case it is much better than the movie and not terribly similar. "
- Adam, 2/20/2014
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" Enjoyable. Much different from the movie. Some parts of the plot seemed a bit far-fetched. "
- Dan, 2/17/2014
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" I probably enjoyed the book more for having seen the film. "
- heartful, 2/12/2014
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" Detailed book describing the history of how Idi Amin rose to power. Explained the countries that made his ascension possible as well as Amin's love/fetish with everything Scotland. Made the reader aware that things were much more convoluted that than which was presented in the movie. It was the movie that made me want to read this book, and the written story motivated me to re-watch the film. "
- Libby, 1/6/2014
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" Brilliant book. It wasn't until close to the end that I realised I was reading fiction and not a memoir! "
- Sam, 12/30/2013
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" Dry and to the point, but I really enjoyed it. "
- Amanda, 12/28/2013
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" So far, I love it! "
- Nora, 12/19/2013
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" I learned a lot about what happened in Uganda from this book, although it is only loosely based on real events, it's inspired a new personal obsession! DICTATORS! "
- Karin, 12/7/2013
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" This book is great. I enjoyed the movie as well, but the book is much less sensationalized and seems more true to what might have happened. "
- Emily, 11/11/2013
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" Excellent, though I didnt really like the ending "
- Veronika, 11/4/2013
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" The movie was good, but the book has a LOT more plot and story. "
- Maura, 11/3/2013
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" Interesting story, but the protagonist annoys me somewhat... "
- Laura, 10/21/2013
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" It doesn't tell you anything about why Idi Amin thought he was the last king of Scotland! Have to read another book to find that one out... "
- Gothadh, 6/20/2013
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" I'm old enough to remember Entebbe, but aside from that, there wasn't all that much in the U.S. press. (Surprise, Surprise!) I knew he was a nut job, but I did't realize that he and reality had completely parted ways! "
- Sue, 6/17/2013
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" I saw the film before I read this novel. As usual the film has sensationalised the book. Its an interesting read that at time makes the stomach turn, all the more that its easy to believe events like these happened. "
- Stephen, 5/23/2013
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" The ruthless Idi Amin Dada tyrannizing Uganda during his years in power. "
- Ruth, 5/8/2013
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" Interesting premise for a novel - getting a foreigner into Idi Amin's inner circle. I found it strange that the protagonist didn't seem to have much contact with any of Amin's other "friends". I expected more intrigue. "
- Alice, 2/19/2013
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" Far better than the film - which was incredibly good in itself. A thoughtful insight into a period of history that his affected many friends. Highly recommended. "
- chris, 2/11/2013
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" Really interesting but very violent. The movie is not worth seeing- read the book. "
- Amanda, 1/26/2013
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" Incredibly interesting topic. Loved learning about the Ugandan landscape and also the politics, you can tell Foden did his homework. However, the story was a bit word-y. It's a light read, breezed through it in about a week. But the writing style isn't anything revolutionary. "
- Anna, 8/13/2012
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" Slow. And dry. But quite a horrifying story. You might rather just watch the movie. "
- anees, 6/18/2012
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" If you can get past the creepy subject matter, this is a good book. Much better than the movie. "
- Holly, 2/24/2012
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" Much better appreciated if you read this first then watched the movie. The movie is great in its own right but it definitely sensationalized the action in the book. "
- Dawn, 1/17/2012
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" This is one of those books I decided to read after I'd seen and loved a movie and then five pages later realized that I didn't want to read it because I already knew everything that happens because I'd seen the movie. It is probably very good. "
- Heather, 12/23/2011
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" This is a very graphic book, but well written and helps one understand this segment of Ugandan history.
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- Fabienne, 5/9/2011
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" I liked the way the author used a fictional character to relate the story of Uganda during Idi Amin's rule. I had always heard Amin was a tyrannical killer, but never really knew his story. This book gave me an interesting look at him.
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- Philip, 4/3/2011
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" Really liked this book. As usual, the film (whilst one of the better book-to-film adaptations of recent years), still missed out on a lot of the background that makes this book worth reading.
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- Harri, 3/30/2011
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" The movie was good, but the book has a LOT more plot and story.
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- Maura, 3/26/2011
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" The ruthless Idi Amin Dada tyrannizing Uganda during his years in power.
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- Ruth, 3/2/2011
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" I put this in my History shelf, but it's not. It's Historical Fiction. Also... it's not a very good read.
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- Mike, 8/26/2010
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" real good first novel. about a Scottish md who becomes idi amin's personal physician. you can imagine so of the moral nightmares this can entail. whitbread award and somset maugham prize
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- Tuck, 8/19/2010
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" I'm not usually interested in political nonfiction, but I happened to pick this up and the story was intriguing. Like all dictators, Amin did terrible things. The point of view helps to make this book, the doctor, like the reader is charmed and horrified.
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- Janet, 6/22/2010
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" This was a wonderful book all around. I'm told I need to see the movie, too.
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- Brett, 6/15/2010
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