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The Translator: A Memoir Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,578 listener ratings
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I am the translator who has taken journalists into dangerous Darfur. It is my intention now to take you there in this book, if you have the courage to come with me. The young life of Daoud Hari–his friends call him David–has been one of bravery and mesmerizing adventure. He is a living witness to the brutal genocide under way in Darfur. The Translator is a suspenseful, harrowing, and deeply moving memoir of how one person has made a difference in the world–an on-the-ground account of one of the biggest stories of our time. Using his high school knowledge of languages as his weapon–while others around him were taking up arms–Daoud Hari has helped inform the world about Darfur. Hari, a Zaghawa tribesman, grew up in a village in the Darfur region of Sudan. As a child he saw colorful weddings, raced his camels across the desert, and played games in the moonlight after his work was done. In 2003, this traditional life was shattered when helicopter gunships appeared over Darfur’s villages, followed by Sudanese-government-backed militia groups attacking on horseback, raping and murdering citizens and burning villages. Ancient hatreds and greed for natural resources had collided, and the conflagration spread. Though Hari’s village was attacked and destroyedhis family decimated and dispersed, he himself escaped. Roaming the battlefield deserts on camels, he and a group of his friends helped survivors find food, water, and the way to safety. When international aid groups and reporters arrived, Hari offered his services as a translator and guide. In doing so, he risked his life again and again, for the government of Sudan had outlawed journalists in the region, and death was the punishment for those who aided the “foreign spies.” And then, inevitably, his luck ran out and he was captured. . . . The Translator tells the remarkable story of a man who came face-to-face with genocide– time and again risking his own life to fight injustice and save his people.
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"Wow, within seconds you are bedazzled in this book, written about the translator. I am a volunteer at Amnesty International and remember him very well and now reading this total story gave me goosebumps all over. An intriguing, sad, inspiring & encouraging story about a man who had nothing left, giving his life to get journalist here and there in a war zone. Well-written, unimaginable story & hopefully an eye-opener for many people."
— Ninasafiri (4 out of 5 stars)
The Translator Listener Reviews
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" A quick run through miseries of Darfur... touching and troubling.... "
— Bapu, 2/12/2014 -
" This book is a poignant recollection of the horrors that have occurred - and are still happening - in Darfur, Sudan. Hari's writing style is honest, capturing the occasional moments of light even with all of the darkness. I highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in social justice or in African history. "
— Bethany, 2/8/2014 -
" I loved that the author's voice is so clearly his own. I've not read much about Darfur, so this was an eye opening, heartbreaking insight into what's going on. And yet it is hopeful because the author remained grounded in his mission, and remained optimistic about the future. "
— Celina, 2/3/2014 -
" This book is about the geonocide in Sudan. A person who replaced the kitchen window up in Vail recommended it. Interesting book! Our world has to stop being dependent on oil. "
— Jennifer, 1/29/2014 -
" This was a difficult book to read due to the subject matter. It did force me to think about the situation in Darfur, as unpleasant as it is. The violence in this part of the world has been ongoing and shows no evidence of stopping. It's beyond my ability to comprehend. "
— Judy, 1/22/2014 -
" learned a little bit about the history of the Darfur conflict in a not-scary way. "
— Natasha, 1/13/2014 -
" A quick read but thorough personal account of one man's experience in the Darfur region. A great way to learn more about the present situation. "
— Skigirl, 1/13/2014 -
" I enjoyed the author's view point. His lack of flowery details makes this a quick read. Can easily understand the survivor instinct in the ever-changing dynamics that control darfur "
— Collette, 1/11/2014 -
" One of the most amazing books I've ever read--for its content, message, and style. Daoud Hari will be coming to Mars Hill to participate in a video-webcast, live public discussion, Sept. 1. "
— Rob, 1/9/2014 -
" Wonderful. Tearjerking and inspiring. "
— Gregory, 12/27/2013 -
" I love reading a first hand account of something and this one taught me so much about what is going on in Darfur. There are points in the memoir where you will just want to cry, but at others it is so uplifting to see how the human spirit is still able to survive in such a horrific environment. "
— Bobbi, 12/13/2013 -
" This is a compelling story, but it's just not written in an engaging way. "
— Mary, 9/26/2013 -
" Powerful account of the Darfur genocide, which did more to inform me of what happened and why than many news reports of the time. Strongly recommend. Available for loan through Sonoma County Libraries. "
— Leigh, 6/27/2013 -
" Fabulously well-written. "
— Wendy, 2/8/2013 -
" wow-- what a story! great book that wants me to be able to do more to help the darfur situation. easy to read (not as dense as other books). very compelling. highly recommend. "
— Stephanie, 10/1/2012 -
" A first-hand look at the happenings in Darfur. Brought me up to speed on the genocide happening there. Painfully sad but very important and informative. "
— Carla, 5/10/2012 -
" An upsetting account of one man's experiences translating for international journalists in the complicated genocide in Sudan. The different insights & perspectives put a human face on a piece of this atrocity. "
— Sierra, 12/6/2011 -
" I loved that the way the story is told is so...immediate. At first I was thrown by the writing style but then I couldn't put it down it was so personal and without extra frills. Definitely recommend! "
— Johanna, 11/24/2011 -
" A short, but graphic account of the genocide in Darfur from one man's perspective. "
— Jen, 6/11/2011 -
" READ THIS BOOK!!! It was one of the best books I've ever read. It will make you scream in anger, cry in pity and laugh out loud. This man is an angel among us! "
— Kathryn, 5/30/2011 -
" Tragic story, so hard to believe things like this still go on today. I was confused after reading the United Nations article at the end of the book as to why a counrty would be allowed to conduct this kind of genocide. "
— Kathy, 5/26/2011 -
" Very enlightening and sad - wish I had read this years ago! "
— Careyla, 5/19/2011 -
" This memoir was written by a young man from Darfur who became a translator for the UN. The book provides a lot of personal details, but has little to say about the overall situation in Darfur. "
— Diane, 4/18/2011 -
" This was beautifully written. Sooooo sad, but also told with humor.... I thought it was a great book. "
— Rebecca, 2/23/2011 -
" This book reminds me to be thankful for all that I have and grateful to be an American citizen. All the trials and tribulations I face are nothing compared to the ones described in this book. Very moving. "
— Erin, 1/13/2011 -
" The style is amazing light hearted considering his subject. In the midst of all the pain and suffering Daoud is able to find something to laugh about and share it with us. Very heart-rending. Well worth the read! "
— Elsie, 12/11/2010 -
" At the time I read this book, I liked it and thought it was sad. Two years later I can't remember anything about it at all. Maybe I will have to re-read it. "
— Kristina, 11/5/2010
About Daoud Hari
Daoud Hari was born in the Darfur region of Sudan. After escaping an attack on his village, he entered the refugee camps in Chad and began serving as a translator for major news organizations including the New York Times, NBC, and the BBC, as well as the United Nations and other aid groups. He now lives in the United States and is part of SaveDarfur.org’s Voices from Darfur tour.
About Mirron Willis
Mirron Willis—actor of film, stage, and television—is the winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2012 and a finalist for the Audie in 2015, as well as the winner of four AudioFile Earphones Awards for his audiobook recordings. He has worked extensively in film and television and on stage with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and the Ensemble Theatre, among others. He has recorded some 150 audiobooks, including the Smokey Dalton series by Kris Nelscott and My Song by Harry Belafonte. He resides and records audiobooks on his family’s historic ranch in East Texas.